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HISTORY 



OF THE 



Fifth Massachusetts Battery. 



ORGANIZED OCTOBER 3, 1861, 
MUSTERED OUT JUNE 12, 1865. 



CORPS 




BOSTON : 
LUTHER E. COWLES, PUBLISHER, 

60 Federal Street. 
1902. 



^>H^Z 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

JUN 25 1903 

Copyright Entry 

CLASS a^ XXc No 

COPY A. 






Copyright, 1902, by Luthek E. Cowles 

All Rights Reserved 



PREFACE. 



In submitting these pages to the general pubhc, made 
doubly and more profoundly critical by new opportuni- 
ties for observation, furnished by the recent war with 
Spain, we are aware that our most appreciative readers 
will be found among the daily diminishing ranks of our 
comrades and their circle of friends whose memories reach 
back to the period of which it treats, — forty years ago. 

It is not without some feeling of complacence that we 
have reviewed these records of the endurance of hard- 
ships, which, in the inexperience of early youth, we 
accepted as the inevitable, and carelessly turned into jest 
as the easiest and quickest way of getting over the mis- 
fortunes of war, and we have closely followed the trials to 
which were submitted those innate impulses of courage 
inspired by patriotism, that found us all ready to mount 
at the call of " Boots and Saddles," and, harnessing our 
impatience to the wheels of the grumbling cannon and 
caissons, to seek the field wherever, whenever and how- 
soever we were directed. 

To our aid in this work we have called the sister of a 
soldier of the i8th Massachusetts Regiment Infantry, 
who has brought to her task that which is considered 
indispensable in the historian of a distant period, " the 
familiarized knowledge of many years." Her impres- 
sions do not all come at second hand. They are the 
product of memories transplanted from a living past, to 
assist in the selection of scenes in camp, on the march, 

iii 



iv PREFACE. 

and in the field, and to present them in a form of ready 

reference for the use of its members and their descendants 

for all time, to bear witness to the labors, sacrifices and 

achievements of the 5th Massachusetts Battery, Light 

Artillery. 

Nathan Appleton, 

Henry D. Scott, 

John F. Murray, 

Thomas E. Chase, 

George L. Newton, 

Committee, 

The committee desire to acknowledge the receipt of 
historical data, loan of books, letters, diaries and other 
means of information necessary to the compilation, from 
the following persons : — 

Massachusetts : Miss Katharine Phillips, Miss Jane 
Phillips, Mrs. Stephen H. Phillips, Brevet Brigadier- 
General Augustus P. Martin, Stephen F. Keyes, Judge 
Advocate, Department of Massachusetts, G. A. R., 
George H. Freeman, Quartermaster R. A. Peirce, Post 
G. A. R., Charles F. Shaw, R. C. Ingraham, Charles W. 
Coggeshall (Coggeshall, Maxfield & Co.), B. F. Bright- 
man (Alaska Oil Co.), Isaac S. Mullen, Ward Room 
Steward U. S. ships Portsmouth and C/iocura, Milo J. 
Proctor, 6th Massachusetts Infantry, Charles O. Eaton, 
Custodian of State Flags, Rev. George Batchelor, Wm. 
G. Kirschbaum, New Bedford Standard. 

Maine : Brevet Major-General Joshua L. Chamber- 
lain, Brevet Major Henry S. Burrage, Major Holman S. 
Melcher, 20th Maine Regiment Association, Captain 
Harvey H. Webber. 

New York : Brevet Colonel Horatio C. King, Hugh 
Hastings, State Historian, Frank H. Norton, Edmund 



PREFACE. V 

B. Taber, New York Herald^ R. G. Butler, New York 
Sun. 

North Dakota : Colonel C. A. Lounsberry, 20th Michi- 
gan Infantry. 

Pennsylvania : Colonel John P. Nicholson, Gettys- 
burg National Park Commission. 

Rhode Island: Major Geo. E. Randolph (Denver, 
Col.), William Ames Card (New York, New Haven & 
Hartford Railroad), Captain Wm. B. Weeden, 4th 
(Weeden's) Rhode Island Battery, First Lieutenant Gideon 
Spencer, ist Rhode Island Light Artillery, Captain Wm. 
B. Rhodes, Battery E, ist Rhode Island, John Galvin 
and J. B. Peck, Battery C, ist Rhode Island, Frederic 
M. Sackett, Adjutant General State of Rhode Island. 

Virginia: Colonel Wm. Thompson, Governor Na- 
tional Soldiers' Home, W. W. Scott, Librarian State 
Library, Richmond. 

Washington^ D. C. : Captain Charles E. Troutman, 
Colonel Lee Crandall, William Crozier, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, Chief of Ordnance, U. S. A. 

Note. — Parentheses are used to explain the text and for cross-references. Paren- 
thetical remarks by the writers quoted are between dashes. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER FIRST. 

December 29, 1861— December 22, 1865. 
The Battery Flags, 3; The Color Bearers, 4; The Flags Unfurled, 5; The 
Flags Replaced, 6 ; The Worn Colors, 11 ; Corps and Brigade Flags 
and Badges, 18. 

CHAPTER SECOND. 

December 3, 1860— August 23, 1861. 
In 'Si.\ty-One, 23; The Safety of Washington, 24; The Massachusetts 
Legislature, 24 ; Massachusetts in the National Congress, 24; The Re- 
port of a Committee, 25; General Order No. 4, 26; Interview with 
U. S. Attorney General Stanton, 30; The Roads to Washington, 36. 

CHAPTER THIRD. 

April 2, 1863— June 1, 1865. 
The Composition of the Battery, 40 ; Light Artillery in the Field, 52 ; Artil- 
lery Tactics, 63. 

CHAPTER FOURTH. 

August 20, 1861— December 26, 1861. 
Recruiting the Battery, 66 ; The Defences of Washington, 67 ; McClellan and 
the Artillery, 68 ; City of New Bedford, 69 ; Boston and Vicinity, 70 ; 
Recruiting Office in New Bedford, 71 ; Recruiting Office in Boston, 72 ; 
Enlistment Rolls of Lieut. John B. Hyde, 78 ; Original Commissioned 
and Non-Commissioned Officers, 82 ; Enlistment Rolls of Lieut. George 
D. Allen, 87 ; Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, 83 ; Camp Massasoit, Readville, 
90 ; Departure for the Seat of War, 93. 

CHAPTER FIFTH. 

December 25, 1861— March 9, 1862. 
Washington, D. C, and Hall's Hill, Va., 95 ; Camp at Washington, D. C, 98 
Camp at Hall's Hill, 131 ; The Target Shooting, 139. 

vii 



viii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER SIXTH. 

March 10, 1862— April 4, 1862. 
The Advance upon Richmond, 156 ; The President's War Order, 158 ; McClel- 
lan's Address to the Army, 162 ; The Peninsula, 163 ; Centreville and 
Manassas, 165 ; The Embarkation, 169 ; The Situation, 192 ; Banks' 
Fifth Corps, 195 ; Howard's Mills, 195 ; The First Gun Fired, 195. 

CHAPTER SEVENTH. 

April 6, 1862— May 8, 1862. 
Yorktown, 205 ; " In Battery," 205 ; In the Earthworks, 210 ; The Masked 
Battery, 213 ; Guarding the Bridge over Wormley's Creek by Sections, 
217 ; The Trenches, 231 ; The Camp, 233 ; Batteries of Siege Guns, 240 ; 
The Charge on the Right Fort, 244. 

CHAPTER EIGHTH. 

May 9, 1862— May 31, 1862. 
The Battle of Hanover Court House, 252 ; Up York River, 253 ; West Point 
to Cumberland Creek, 257; White House Landing, 263; Fifth Pro- 
visional Army Corps, 264; In Hanover County, 271. 

CHAPTER NINTH. 

May 31, 1862— June 27, 1862. 
The Valley of the Chickahominy, 287 ; Battle of Mechanicsville, 288 ; The 
Battery at the Bridge, 289 ; Leaves of Absence, 295 ; Review of the 
Fifth Corps, 296 ; On Picket at New Bridge, 299 ; In the Earthworks, 
299 ; The First Death in Camp, 300 ; On Gaines Hill, 302 ; The Bridges 
across the Chickahominy River, 304 ; Battery No. 4, 310. 

CHAPTER TENTH. 

June 26, 1862— June 28, 1862. 
The Battle of Gaines Mills, 314 ; The Situation, 315 ; In Battery, 319 ; The 
March, 319 ; Casualties, 320; The Retreat of the Forces, 336. 

CHAPTER ELEVENTH. 

June 29, 1862— July 1, 1862. 
The Battle of Malvern Hill, 361 ; The March, 361 ; The Navy Assists, 362 ; 
The Gunboats, 363 ; McClellan and the Artillery, 367 ; Casualties, 370. 

CHAPTER TWELFTH. 

July 2, 1862— August 14, 1862. 
The Battery divided, 381 ; Harrison's Landing, 382 ; The Inspection, 383 ; 
Review by Gen. H. W. Halleck, 383 ; Special Order No. 200 Divid- 
ing the Battery, 387 ; Officers Resigned, 388 ; Officers Promoted, 390 5 
The Sick and Wounded, 392 ; An Artillery Demonstration, 398. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. ■ ix 

CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. 

August 14, 1862— September 3, 1862. 
From Harrison's Landing to Acquia Creek, 413 ; The Battle of Second 
Manassas, 413 ; The Relief of Major General John Pope, 414 ; The 
March to Williamsburg, 414; The Sick and Wounded, 415; Acquia 
Creek, 415; The Fourth R. I. Contingent, 423; Casualties, 423; The 
Peril of the National Capital, 428. 

CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. 

September 3, 1862— October 9, 1862. 
The Battery Reunited and Reinstated, 432 ; The Battery Concentrated, 439 ; 
Battle of Antietam, 445 ; Reported to Gen. Whipple, 445 ; Re-recruit- 
ing the Battery, 447 ; Emancipation, 448 ; Full Equipment, 452 ; Re- 
ported to General Morell, 458. 

CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. 

October 11, 1862— January 25, 1863. 
The Battle of Fredericksburg, 459 ; Men of Massachusetts and Michigan, 
464 ; Crossing the River, 465 ; Joined the Division at Harper's Ferry, 
477; Snicker's Gap, 479 ; Camp near Warrenton, Va., 483; Near Fal- 
mouth, Va., 489 ; Hooker in Command of the Fifth Corps, 495 ; In 
Battery, 496 ; Casualties, 497. 

CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. 

January 26, 1863 —June 13, 1863. 
The Battle of Chancellorsville, 544 ; A Cavalry Review, 568 ; Grand Re- 
view, 569 ; Invalid Corps, 576 ; In Line of Battle, 582 ; Recrossed the 
River, 583; Report of Captain Phillips, 586; Reduced to Four Guns, 
595 ; Drew another Section, 598. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. 

June 13, 1863— August 8, 1863. 
The Battle of Gettysburg, 602 ; Rebels said to be in Maryland, 603 ; Veteran 
Volunteers, 617 ; Duty and the Death Penalty, 621 ; Positions of the Bat- 
tery, 626, 651 ; " Fix Prolonge to Fire Retiring," 630; Tenth New York 
Battery, 664; Fifth Massachusetts Battery Monument, 676; High Water 
Mark, 678; Progress South of the Armies, 682. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. 

August 9, 1863— November 23, 1863. 
The Battle of Rappahannock Station, 695 ; Massachusetts State Agency, 
697; White Sulphur Springs, 703; Target Practice, 706; The Invalid 



X TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

Corps, 709; The Fight at Bristoe, 716; Manoeuvring for Position, 721 ; 
Music in the Army, 728; Attack on the Earthworks, 732 ; Under Fire, 
733. 

CHAPTER NINETEENTH. 

November 23, 1863— February 29, 1864. 
The Battle of Mine Run, 740 ; Brigade Drill, 744 ; The Crossing of the Rap- 
idan, 745 ; In Line of Battle, 746 ; Longfellow's Son Shot, 747 ; A Fatal 
Mistake, 749; Reenlistments, 761; Music for the Army, 762; Money 
Paid by Drafted Persons, 767. 

^ CHAPTER TWENTIETH. 

March 1, 1864— May 7, 1864. 
The Battle of the Wilderness, 776; Grant takes Command, 777; The Invalid 
Corps, 784; Lieut. Scott Resigns, 785; "Wanted, — Recruits." Poster, 
787; Ball at General J. J. Bartlett's Headquarters, 789 ; Veteran Reserve 
Corps, 790 ; Reduction of Army Corps, 792 ; The Countersign, 797 ; The 
Demi-Brigade, 798 ; The Demi-Brigade Dissolved, 803 ; The Fight of 
May 5, 805 ; The Fight of May 6, 807 ; The Fight of May 7, 808. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. 

May 8, 1864— May 18, 1864. 
The Battle of Spottsylvania Court House and Laurel Hill, 811 ; Captain A. 
P. Martin Wounded, 816; The Fight of May 8, 816; The Fight of 
May 9, 818; Casualties, 818; The Fight of May 10,819; The Fight 
of May 11, 820 ; The Fight of May 12, 822 ; Casualties, 823 ; Turned in a 
Section, 825 ; The Fight of May 18, 826. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND. 

May 19, 1864— May 25, 1864. 
The Battle of the North Anna River and Virginia Central Railroad, 827 ; 
The Fight of May 19, 831 ; Rounds Fired by the Battery in Eighteen 
Days, 833; The Fight of May 23, 834; The Crossing at Jericho Ford, 
834 ; The Fifth Battery Men as Barn Movers, 835 ; The Fight of May 
25, 839 ; Casualties, 839; Lieutenant Appleton's Promotion and Resigna- 
tion, 847. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD. 

May 26, 1864— June 14, 1864. 
The Battle of Bethesda Church, 851; Ofificers Promoted, 857; Casualties, 
June 2, 868 ; Bethesda Church, 858 ; The Charge of the Battery, 863 
The Company Fund, 864. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH. 

June 15, 1864— August 18, 1864. 
The Battle of Petersburg, 869; The Assault of June 18, 877; Casualties, 
877 ; The Fortifications, 879 ; The Norfolk Railroad Cut, 881 ; The Sani- 
tary Commission, 886; The Army Ration, 887 ; A Work Built for the 
Battery, 889; The Rebel Raid into Maryland, 890; Bombardment of 
July 30, 893 ; Casualties, 894. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIFTH. 

August 18, 1864— September 1, 1864. 
The Battle of the Weldon Railroad, 899 ; Expiration of Term of Service, 
901; The Possession of the Weldon Railroad, 904; Casualties, 905; 
The Third Massachusetts Battery, 906; Officers Promoted, 907 ; Mem- 
bers of the Third Massachusetts Battery Transferred, 908. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXTH. 

September 2, 1864— November 19, 1864. 
The Battle of Hatcher's Run, 910; Disposal of Transferred Non-Commis- 
sioned Officers, 915 ; Commission Officers Promoted, 917 ; Non-Commis- 
sioned Officers Promoted, 918; The Battery in Fort Davison, 919; Mus- 
tered Out at Expiration of Term of Service, 923; New Section (Centre) 
Added, 924 ; The Fight at Hatcher's Run, 924 ; The Defences of Wash- 
ington, 927. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENTH. 

November 4, 1864— April 6, 1865. 
The Assault on Petersburg, 930 ; Examination of Recruits at the Hospital, 
935; The Weldon Railroad, 936; In the Advance Going Out: In the 
Rear Coming Back, 938; Four Guns in Fort Hays, 938 ; Two Guns in 
Battery 22, 938 ; Retired from the Forts, 939 ; Returned to the Forts, 940 ; 
Hatcher's Run, 941 ; Back to the Old Camp, 941 ; Turned in a Section 
942 ; The Final Attack, 943 ; The Last Shot, 943 ; Casualties, 947. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTH. 

April 3, 1865— June 24, 1865. 
Guns removed from Fort Hays, 953 ; The Artillery Reserve, 954 ; The Artil- 
lery Brigade, 955 ; The Last Camp in Virginia, 956 ; The Last March, 
957 ; Mustered Out of the United States Service, 958. 



Proceedings of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery Association, 969. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Battery Flags 

The Commissioned Officers 

Equipments 

Lieut. Hvde and "Black Charley " 
Plan of Operations : Yorktown 
Bugle Call — " In Battery " 
Bugle Call — "To The Color" , 

Signal Flag 

Redoubt 

Lunette 

Camp Chair 

House near Wormley's Creek . 
Rebel Redoubt .... 
Valley of the Chickahominy: Plan 
Battle of Gaines Mills: Plan . 
Battle of Malvern Hill: Plan 
Second Position at Malvern Hill 
Cannoneer's Sword 

Army Desk 

Battle of Fredericksburg: Plan 
Battle of Chancellorsville: Plan 
Battle of Gettysburg, July 2. 1863 



Plan 



PAGE^ 

Frontispiece 
66 

75 
92 
204 
205 
209 
219 
225 
226 
228 

234 
247 
286 

314 
360 

372 
386 
441 
459 
544 
602 



Xlll 



xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Portrait of Captain Augustus P. Martin . 613 

Bringing off the Gun 636 

Battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863 ; Plan . 648 
Captain Phillips and his Horse . . . 662 
Fifth Mass. Battery Monument . . . 6^6 
High Water Mark: Tablet .... 678 
Lieut. Appleton and his Horse "Folko" . 707 
Railroad Bridge over the Rappahannock River 733 
Camp of the Fifth Mass. Battery, Rappahan- 
nock Station, Va., Dec. 1863, -April, 1864 . 740 
"Action Front." Drill at Winter Quarters 

Camp, Rappahannock Station, Va., Mar. 1864 793 
One Piece of the Fifth Mass. Battery, Rappa- 
hannock Station, Va., April, 1864. Lieut. 

SiMONDS standing IN THE REAR . . . 797 

Battle of Petersburg: Plan .... 869 

Reunion at New Bedford, Mass., Aug. 9, 1892 967 



CHAPTER I. 
THE BATTERY FLAGS. 

"An' didn't we flock to the colors when the drums began to beat, 
An' didn't we march with proud step along this village street? 
An' didn't the people cheer us when we got aboard the cars, 
With the flag a-wavin' o'er us, and went away to the wars?" 

— Captain Jack Crawford. 

There never was a time when the' American Flag stood 
for so much in the estimation of the people of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, as in the spring and summer of 
1861 : there was never a time when the emblem of the in- 
divisibility of the Union stood so much in need of appre- 
ciation and respect. 

Emotions of alarm and anxiety for the security of the 
individual and all he held most dear, mingled with and 
intensified the enthusiasm which called together great con- 
vocations of all classes and both sexes, to witness the simple 
raising of the flag which represented all that the constitu- 
tion of the United States was intended to guarantee. In 
the capital of the state vast assemblages breathlessly 
watched the unfolding of flags of immense size, made of the 
costliest material, across the principal streets, in the most 
conspicuous places, to the music of the national airs. 

Flags were flung out from the steeples of churches. The 
clergy were among the most patriotic of those who ad- 
dressed the multitude, the exercises opening with prayer. 
Far as the eye could see, above the crowd in the street, in 
the windows and on the roofs of houses, the people waited 
for the orator's closing words: "Our Country, the United 
States of America," which were the signal for the running 



2 HISTORY OF THE 

out of the flag, and for long continued and hearty cheering, 
while the bands played "The Star Spangled Banner" and 
"Hail Columbia." 

Members of Congress anxious to show their colors, and 
returned travellers from the turbulent South, made soul 
stirring speeches and roused their youthful hearers to a 
w^ld fervor which from the first was unrestrainable, and 
sooner or later carried them "away to the wars." Ardent, 
unfaltering, undying devotion to the beautiful ensign was 
inculcated by the speakers and punctuated by the fife, drum 
and bugle. 

In the hush of the church vestries mission circles were 
formed by women, ten thousand of them in this state, who, 
fearing they knew not what, saw their stitches set through 
tears, by hurrying, tremulous hands, while the men cheered 
at the "flag raisings." They organized little bands called 
"Soldiers' Aid Societies." 

Sweethearts and wives, and sisters, made red, white and 
blue neckties, which the young soldiers wore in the state 
camps or on brief furloughs home. 

Young ladies in private schools took up subscriptions 
and purchased handsome standards which they presented 
to the volunteer companies. Young gentlemen in theirs 
presented flags and equipments to graduates. Note paper 
and envelopes ornamented with flags were the correct thing 
in correspondence. 

A large and elegantly wrought shawl was presented to 
the wife of Governor Andrew by R. H. Stearns & Co., popu- 
lar dry goods merchants, designed and executed, by a lady 
in Newton. It was of the finest worsted in red, white and 
blue colors, with thirty-four stars and the Union shield of 
the- same material so arranged as to give to the whole a 
symmetrical appearance and an exceedingly fine effect. 

And underlying all this ebullition of feeling absorbed by 
one object, in the participation of which political lines were 
effaced and a "war democrat" was as good a fighting man 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 3 

as a republican, there was absolute, uncompromising fealty 
to the government, and a grim determination to stand by 
the flag at whatever cost to themselves or to others. 

Major C. A. Woodruff, U. S. A., in a speech at one of 
the reunions of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, 
has given the best expression to this sentiment : 

"No patriotic citizen of this Government can admit that 
there was any equality of flags : for true Americans there 
was but one national flag, and that the one the Union sol- 
diers bore to complete victory : nor that there was any co- 
honor of causes : for true Americans there was but one just 
cause, and that the preservation of the Federal Union." 

To prove this fealty by action there was an ever increas- 
ing necessity in the danger which threatened Washington, 
and called forth from Wendell Phillips the following enun- 
ciation : 

''The war, then, is not aggressive, but in self-defence, and 
Washington has become the Thermopylae of liberty and 
justice. Rather than surrender that Capital, cover every 
square foot of it with a living body; crowd it with millions 
of men and empty every bank vault at the North to pay the 
cost. Teach the world, once for all, that North America 
belongs to the stars and stripes, and under them no man 
shall wear a chain. . . . Cannon think in the 19th century; 
and you must put the North in the right before you can 
justify her in the face of the world: before you can pour 
Massachusetts like an avalanche through the streets of Bal- 
timore, and carry Lexington on the 19th of April, south 
of Mason and Dixon's line." 

THE FLAGS OF THE BATTERY. 

NOTES OF FRANCIS P. WASHBURN, MAY 5, I9OO. 

"As regards the Battery flags : two were given us by the 
state when we were organized; one a full-sized silk battle 
flag, the stars and stripes, the other a white silk guidon with 



4 HISTORY OF THE 

cross cannon and number and name of the Battery. The 
first had the staff shot off at Gaines Mills, and after the 
battle, was spliced, and did service through the Seven Days 
fight. Both flags were so badly used up in the campaign 
that when the men were transferred to the Third Mass. 
and Fourth R. I. batteries at Harrison's Landing the flags 
were sent back to the state. The only flags we ever carried 
after this were the regular U. S. Artillery guidons. 

The guidon was not used at the Seven Days' fight but 
was in the baggage wagon at that time, and a can of oil 
was spilled on it which spoiled it for use by the Battery, and 
I always supposed it was sent home with the other flag. 

The flags were furnished by the state, and were a part of 
the equipment carried by a battery at that time. When we 
joined the Army we were not allowed a color bearer or a 
guide : one of the buglers took those places." 

THE COLOR BEARERS. 

The buglers were James Winters, John C. Tucker, and 
after Tucker's three years' term expired, Henry M. Gifford. 
Winters re-enlisted and served through the war. The first 
guidon was Mortier Gale. Lie carried a large flag at 
parade, a small flag or guidon was ordinarily used. On a 
march both flags were carried in the Battery wagon. He 
carried the U. S. flag until after the seven days' battles. He 
was afterwards hospital steward. The second Bugler took 
his place. The state guidon could not be used because of 
the white color. It was sent home from Harrison's Land- 
ing. 

Then came Andrew Hosley, a detached man from an in- 
fantry regiment, who carried the colors, and after him 
A. K. P. Hayden. 

In the memory of some members Chris. Allen of New 
Bedford at one time acted as color bearer, and George W. 
Poole as Guidon. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 5 

According to the report of Colonel Charles Amory, Mas- 
ter of Ordnance of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
for 1 86 1, that department issued to the Fifth Mass. Battery 
I silk Guidon with staff and socket, i National flag, silk, 
with staff and socket, 4 camp colors with staves, and 2 
bugles. 

THE FLAGS UNFURLED. 
Journal of D. Henry Grows. 

"Camp on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, about 8 
or 10 minutes' walk from the Capitol, Sunday morning, 
Dec. 29, 1861 : After breakfast put on my uniform and 
went on dress parade. As it is the first Sunday here, we 
took our Ensign and Right Guide from their covering and 
for the first time in our presence our colors were loosed to 
the breeze. 

"They are handsome flags, one an American flag of silk, 
and the guidon of red and white with golden cannons, and 
the number of the Battery. After parade, before we were 
dismissed we had divine service. The officers sang a psalm, 
then Lieut. Allen acted as chaplain. He read the first chap- 
ter in the Bible, then sang, then a prayer, and finished the 
services by all the men singing 'Old Hundred.' " 

At this time the state guidon, swallow tail in form, was 
half red and half white, but subsequently, while retaining 
its shape, the stars and stripes were added in accordance 
with the following general order : — 

Headquarters of the Army, 
Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, January 18, 1862. 
General Orders 
No. 4. 

I. Under instructions from the Secretary of War, dated January 
7, 1862, guidons and camp colors for the Army will be made like the 
United States flag, with stars and stripes. . . . 
By command of Major General McClclIan. 

L. Thomas, 
Adjutant General. 



6 HISTORY OF THE 

THE FLAGS REPLACED. 

His Excellency Governor John A. Andrew in his inaug- 
ural address, January 9, 1863, recommended replacing the 
flags torn and worn in battle in the following words : 

"Since the summer of 1862, several of our volunteer corps which 
reported that their colors had become unfit for use by being in battle 
and worn by the exposures of service, have been supplied by the Mas- 
ter of Ordnance with new flags upon the return to his charge of those 
which they had borne so honorably through two campaigns. I respect- 
fully ask an appropriation to cover the expense thus incurred, and of 
the replacement when needed of the colors of all the Massachusetts 
troops. It is a proud satisfaction to know that never yet has the white 
standard of this commonwealth been surrendered to the enemy." 

In 1863, Joel Hay den was Lieut. Governor, Oliver War- 
ner, Secretary, Henry K. Oliver, Treasurer. Jonathan E. 
Field was president of the Senate and Alexander H. Bul- 
lock was Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

The legislature of that year passed the following Resolve : 

Resolved, That a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars is 
hereby appropriated for the purpose of replacing the flags of Massa- 
chusetts regiments worn out or lost in service, the same to be ex- 
pended from time to time during the current year, by the Governor 
with the advice and consent of the Council. 

Approved March 5, 1863. 

A copy of this Resolve w^as sent to the Captain of the 
Battery with the following words added in red ink: "A 
'special Requisition' for the above will be promptly 
answered." 

It is noted by the historian of the Third Mass. Battery 
that on March 13, 1863, a new state color appeared in line. 
The Fifth Mass. Battery was then in camp near the Third 
in the vicinity of Falmouth, Va., but there is no record of 
a new color having been sent or received. In his Returns 
of Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage for Oct. 31, 
1863, Captain Phillips made the following entry: 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. Y 

"Oct. 31, 1863, Received One Silk Guidon — new — ." In 
November of the same year "On band One Guidon." 

According to tbe report of the Master of Ordnance of the 
State of Massachusetts for the year 1863, no worn colors 
from the Fifth Mass. Battery were in possession of the 
Department, January i, 1864, nor received during that year 
ending December 31, 1863, neither is there any mention of 
the one issued to them during that year. 

In the Acts and Resolves of the Massachusetts Legisla- 
ture for 1864, Chapter 68, may be found the following Re- 
solve to provide for the procuring of flags to replace those 
lost or worn out in the service, and for other purposes : 

Resolved, That the unexpended balance of the appropriation of 
three thousand dollars authorized by Chapter 26 of the Resolves of 
1863, together with an additional sum not exceeding one thousand dol- 
lars, shall be allowed and paid for the purpose of replacing the flags 
of Massachusetts regiments worn out in the service, and also for pro- 
viding the necessary colors and guidons for Massachusetts regiments 
and batteries in the service of the United States ; the same to be ex- 
pended from time to time, during the current year by the Governor, 
with the advice and consent of the Council. 

Approved May 10, 1864. 

Section 77, Chapter 238, Acts and Resolves, 1864. 

Each regiment shall be furnished by the State with the national and 
state colors, their staffs, belts and sockets, and each battery of light 
artillery and company of cavalry with its proper guidon, staff, belt, 
and socket, and the commander of such regiment, battery, or company, 
shall be responsible for their safe keeping. 

From the Report of Brigadier-General and Acting Chief 
of Ordnance Richard A. Peirce to the Governor and Com- 
mander-in-Chief, dated January 2, 1865. for the year 1864: 

"Schedule K: Worn colors received by the Chief of Ordnance dur- 
ing the year ending December 31, 1864. 

5th Light Battery, i Guidon, silken. 

Schedule L: Worn colors in charge of the Chief of Ordnance, De- 
cember 31, 1864. 

5th Light Battery, i Guidon, silken." 



8 HISTORY OF THE 

There is no mention of the one issued to them in 1864. 

In a letter to a member of his family Captain Phillips 
wrote: "Before Petersburg, Nov. 16, 1864, I send you by 
Lieut. Tripp the Battery flag which I wish to preserve as a 
trophy. It is torn and spotted, but I wish to keep it just as 
it is." 

In his Returns for the month of November, 1864, he has, 
— "Rec'd One Guidon in case — new — " and in December 
"On hand one Guidon." 

THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE ELAGS. 

Head Quarters of the Army. 
Adjutant General's Office 
General Orders Washington Feb. 22 1862. 

No. 19 

The following Order has been received from the War Department : 
It is ordered that there shall be inscribed upon the colors or guidons 
of all regiments and batteries in the service of the United States the 
names of the battles in which they have borne a meritorious part. 
These names will also be placed on the Army Register at the head of 
the list of the officers of each regiment. 

It is expected that troops so distinguished will regard their colors 
as representing the honor of their corps — to be lost only with their 
lives ; and that those not yet entitled to such a distinction will not rest 
satisfied until they have won it by their discipline and courage. 

The General commanding the Army will, under the instructions of 
this Department, take the necessary steps to carry out the order. 
Bv command of Major General McClellan. 

L. Thomas 
Official : Adjutant General. 

Nothing was done in relation to this order until the 
autumn of 1864, when there appeared the following circu- 
lar forwarded through the Commander of the Artillery 

Brigade : 

Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, 
Circular September 21st 1864. 

No. 13s 

Division Commanders and the Commander of the Artillery Bri- 
gade, will please have made out a report from each regiment and bat- 
tery in their commands, of the battles which they claim should be in- 
scribed on their flags and guidons for meritorious conduct as prescribed 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 9 

in General Order No. 19. of February 22. 1862, from Head Quarters of 
the Army. 

By command of 

Major General Warren. 

(Signed) Fred T. Locke 

A. A. G. 

Head Quarters Artillery Brig. 5th A. C. 

Sept. 2 1 St 1864. 
Official. 

Furnished for the information of Battery commanders. A list of 
battles ill which their commands have borne a part, and which will 
entitle the commands to have the same inscribed on their "-uidons, will 
be forwarded by commanders with the least possible delay. 
By command of 

CoL. C. S. Wainwright 

Ford. Morris, 
Lieut. A. A. A. G. 

The following November a document was received at 
Battery Head Quarters labelled "Decision of the Military 
Board in Relation to what constitutes a battle to distinguisli 
from skirmishes in which some portions of the command 
may have been engaged. 

Also calling for a list of Battles in which Battery E has 
actually been engaged during the present war." 

This is endorsed by Captain Phillips, "Received and in- 
formation furnished Nov. 11. 1864." 

THE DECISION ETC. 

Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, 

Nov. 8. 1864 
General Orders 

No. 55 

By decision of the Military Board convened at these Head Quar- 
ters Oct. 29, 1864, by S. O. (Special Order) No. 268, the following 
list comprises all the battles in which this Corps has been engaged. 
Many regiments have claimed as battles actions which the board de- 
cides are only part of the same battle, and to be included under one 
name. 

All that are claimed on the original list that do not appear on the 
list furnished have been rejected. 



10 HISTORY OF THE 

It is decided that an organization may claim any engagement in 
which the Corps to which it belonged took part, whether actually en- 
gaged or under orders and held in readiness on the field. Division 
Commanders and the Commander of the Artillery Brigade, will have 
new lists forwarded as soon as possible from all the regiments and 
batteries in their commands to include only such battles designated on 
the accompanying list, in order that the claims may be forwarded, and 
the list published at an early date. 

By command of 

Maj. General Warren 

A. S. Marvin Jr. 
A. A. General. 
Head Quarters Artillery Brig. 5th A. C. 
Nov. 9, 1864. 

Ford Morris 
Lieut, and A. A. A. General. 
Official : 

The "list" is appended, and in the following spring the 
order for the inscriptions was issued : 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac 

March ?■ 1865. 
General Orders 
No. 10. 

In accordance with the requirements of General Orders No. 19, of 
1862, from the War Department, and in conformity with the reports 
of boards convened to examine into the services rendered by the troops 
concerned, and by the authority of the Lieutenant General command- 
ing Armies of the United States, it is ordered that there shall be in- 
scribed upon the colors or guidons of the following regiments and bat- 
teries, serving in this army, the names of the battles in which they have 
borne a meritorious part, and as hereinafter specified, viz : 



BATTERY "E" MASSACHUSETTS ARTILLERY. 

Yorktown. Rappahannock Station. 

Hanover Court House. Mine Run. 

Mechanicsville. Wilderness. 

Gaines Mills. Spottsylvania. 

Malvern Hill. North Anna. 

Second Bull Run. Bethesda Church. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 11 

Fredericksburg. Petersburg. 

Chancellorsville. Weldon Railroad. 

Gettysburg. Hatcher's Run. 

By command of Major General Meade 

Geo. D. Ruggles, 

Assistant Adjutant General 
Official : 

RETURNED TO THE STATE. 

Many flags had been returned before the war ended, for 
Governor Andrew thus referred to them in his inaugural 
address to the legislature in January, 1865 : 

"In the vestibule of the capitol of the Commonwealth you passed to 
this hall of your deliberations beneath a hundred battle-flags, war worn, 
begrimed and bloody. They are sad but proud memorials of the 
transcendent crime of the Rebellion, the curse of slavery, the elastic 
energy of a free Commonwealth, the glory and the grief of War. 

There has been no loyal army, the shout of whose victory has not 
drowned the dying sigh of a son of Massachusetts. There has been 
no victory gained which her blood has not helped to win." 

After the war was over the Government made the follow- 
ing provision for the preservation of the colors in the fol- 
lowing order : 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office 
Washington May 15, 1865. 
General Orders 
No. 94. 

Extracts: III. The Adjutant General of the .A.rmy will designate 
places of rendezvous in the respective States, to which the regiments, 
after muster out, will be forwarded for payment. 

IV. Upon arrival at the rendezvous where the musters-out are to 
take place, a critical examination of the regimental and company rec- 
ords, books, &c., will be made ; and in case of omissions, the proper 
commanders will be made to supply them, and make all the entries as 
enjoined by the Army Regulations. At the same time the muster- 
out rolls will be commenced and prepared in accordance with existing 
regulations, under the direction of the Assistant Commissaries of Mus- 
ters of Divisions, superintended by the Corps Commissaries. Corps 



12 HISTORY OF THE 

and Department commanders will see that the work is pushed with 
energy and executed promptly, using to this end Division and Brigade 
commanders to superintend it, and their respective staff officers, to 
aid the mustering officers in collecting the data for the muster-out 
rolls and discharge papers as well as the preparation of the same. . . . 

V. So soon as the rolls of a regiment are completed, the said com- 
mand, with its arms, colors, and necessary equipage, will be placed en 
route to its state, and to the rendezvous therein at or nearest which it 
was mustered in. 

Eti route, and after arrival in the State the following will be ob- 
served : 

I. Immediately on arrival at the State rendezvous, the regiment 
will be reported to, and taken control of, by the Chief Mustering 
Officer for the State, or his assistant at the point. 

7. The Chief Mustering Officer will, under regulations to be estab- 
lished by himself, take possession of and carefully preserve the regi- 
mental and company records, also the colors with the respective regi- 
ments, and hold them subject to orders from the Adjutant General of 
the Army. 

8. As soon as practicable after arrival at the state rendezvous the 
Chief Mustering Officer, or his assistant, will see that the arms and 
other public property brought to the State by the troops are turned 
over to the proper officer of the Supply Department thereat. 

VI. In preparing the muster-out rolls, Corps, Department, Divi- 
sion and Brigade commanders will hold regimental officers to a strict 
accountability, in order to insure accurate and complete records of the 
enlisted men, and the better to establish the just claims of the non- 
commissioned officers and privates who have been wounded, or of the 
representatives of those who have died from disease or wounds, or 
been killed in battle. 

VII. Prior to the departure of regiments from the rendezvous 
where mustered out, all public property, — except arms, colors, and 
equipage required en route, — will be turned over to, and cared for by, 
the proper officers of the Supply Department concerned. 

THE RETURN OF THE GUIDON BY CAPT. 
PHILLIPS. 

Headquarters Battery E. 
Mass. Art'y 
Readville, Mass., June 12, '65. 

I certify on honor that I have this day turned over to 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 13 

Bv't Capt. (Robert) Davis 2d U. S. Inf. and mustering of- 
ficer the following- articles of C. C. and G. Equipage in obe- 
dience to G. O. No. 94 War Dept. 
A. G. O. current series. 

A GUIDON. 

On the back of this paper is written : — 
"No. 4. Transferred to Capt. Davis, i Guidon." 
In Captain Phillips' Returns of Clothing, Camp and Gar- 
rison Equipage for the month of June, 1865, there is the 
entry : — 

"Transferred to Capt. Davis One Guidon." 
The records of the Record and Pension Office of the War 
Department, show by information forwarded from that of- 
fice December 8, 1900, that by telegram dated War Depart- 
ment, Adjutant General's Office, June 13, 1865, the chief 
mustering officer of the State of Massachusetts was author- 
ized to turn over all regimental colors in his charge under 
section 7, paragraph 5, Special Orders No. 94, War Depart- 
ment, xA^djutant General's Office, 1865, to the Governor of 
the State of Massachusetts, at such time as the latter might 
name. 

RECEIVED BY THE STATE. 

On the 13th of December, 1865, the following General 
Order was issued : 

Commonwealth of MASSACHusrrra 

Head Quarters, Boston. 

December 13, 1865. 
General Orders No. 18 

By General Order No. 94, of the War Department, issued May 15, 
1865, volunteer regiments and batteries, on their return to their re- 
spective states, when mustered out and discharged, were to deposit their 
colors whh the chief United States mustering officers, to be by them 
transferred to the governors of the states. 



14 HISTORY OF THE 

Since that time the following Massachusetts regiments and bat- 
teries, having faithfully served their country to the end of the Rebel- 
lion, returned home and been discharged, their colors have been re- 
ceived by Brevet-Colonel F. N. Clarke U. S. A.. Chief Mustering 

Officer, viz 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, nth. 15th, i6th Batteries, Light 

Artillery .... 

On Friday, 22d. instant. — Forefather's Day. — the colors will be 
escorted from Colonel Clarke's headquarters. No. 2 Bulfinch Street, 
to the State House, where they will be formally received by His Ex- 
cellency the Governor ; and placed in the public archives of the Com- 
monwealth, to be sacredly preserved forever as grand emblems of the 
heroic services and patriotic devotion to Liberty and LTnion of one 
hundred and forty thousand of her dead and living sons. 

The escort will be performed by the ist Company of Cadets Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Holmes commanding, who will report to Brevet Colonel 
Ciarke, at his headquarters, at 11 o'clock a. m., when the line of march 
will be taken up. 

All general, regimental and company officers, and past general, 
regimental and company officers of Massachusetts, and especially all 
officers and past officers, and all non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates of the several organizations named above, are invited to take 
part in the ceremony, and join in the processsion. 

The officers will, as far as practicable detail a color-guard for the 
colors of their respective late commands. The original date of muster- 
in of each command will govern its place in the procession. Officers 
and enlisted men, as far as practicable, will appear in uniform. 

For further orders and information apply to the Adjutant General 
of the Commonwealth. 

By order of His Excellency John. A. Andrew, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 
William Schouler, Adjutant General. 

The returned regiments and batteries having by their rep- 
resentatives signified their intention of taking part in these 
ceremonies, the following order was issued : 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

Head Quarters, Boston, 

December 13, 1865. 
[General Order, No. 19.] 

It having been represented at these head-quarters that the Massa- 
chusetts regiments and companies which had filled their allotted terms 
of service in the field prior to May 15, 1865, the colors of which are 
deposited in the State House, desire to take part in the flag reception 
on the 22d. instant, referred to in General Order No. 18. current series. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 15 

the Commander-in-Chief most cordially complies with their wishes. 
The colors of these organizations will be handed them on the morning 
of the 22d. upon proper requisition. They are to be returned at the 
close of the services. Major General Darius N. Couch of Taunton, 
ranking officer of volunteers in Massachusetts, has been invited to take 
command of the troops. Should he decline Brevet Major General 
George H. Gordon of Boston, next in rank, will take command. 
The commanding general will arrange details. 

By order of His Excellency John A. Andrew, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 
William Schouler, Adjutant General. 

Major Gen'l Couch accepted the command, appointed his 
staff, designated the Division and Brigade commanders, and 
made such arrangements for the order of the procession as 
he thought proper, announcing the same through the public 
press as directed by the Commander-in-Chief. 

Included in the regiments and batteries were those who 
served three months, ninety days, one hundred days, six 
months, nine months, one year and three years regiments 
and batteries, and it was decided that the organizations 
should take their places in line according to their numbers 
and not according to date of muster-in, as stated in General 
Order No. i8. This was to prevent confusion in the forma- 
tion of the line. Meetings were at once held and color- 
bearers appointed by the organizations, and Brig. Gen. Ed- 
ward W. Hinks was appointed Chief of Staff with head- 
quarters at Room lo, State House. 

Brigadier and Brevet Major-General Joseph Hayes was 
appointed to the command of the Divisionof Artillery, which 
consisted of two Brigades: First, sixteen light batteries, 
Captain and Brevet Colonel Augustus P. Martin, com- 
manding, and Second, four regiments and two battalions 
heavy artillery. Colonel Wm. S. King, commanding. 

The procession formed in the following order : 

1st, Cavalry; 2d, Artillery; 3d, Infantry. 

The Cavalry formed on Park Street mall of the Common, 
right resting near Park Street gate, the Artillery on the 



16 HISTORY OF THE 

Tremont Street mall, right resting near Park Street gate, 
and the Infantry on Beacon Street mall, right resting in 
front of the State House. 

General officers and their staffs appeared mounted as far 
as practicable, and officers and men were in uniform and 
carried side arms when such were available. 

The weather was clear and cold and the ground was white 
with snow. 

The stars and stripes floated from staffs attached to 
churches, and decorated public and private buildings. The 
windows and roofs of houses were filled with spectators 
looking down on the crowd beneath, but the mind was busy 
with memories of events undreamed of in 1861, and at sight 
of the worn colors borne by the troops, although there were 
cheers hearty and prolonged, they were cheers with a differ- 
ence. 

The headquarters of General Couch were pitched on the 
Park Street mall near the gate, and the colors were deliv- 
ered to the officers of the respective commands from his 
tent. Before the procession started the flags were formally 
passed over, with a few remarks from Brevet Colonel Fran- 
cis N. Clarke, Chief U. S. Mustering Officer to General 
Couch at these headquarters. 

General Couch's speech of acceptance closed with the fol- 
lowing words : 

"To those who have been spared to bear them on to final triumph, 
devolves the privilege of returning them to the Commonwealth, in the 
consciousness that the object for which they were unfurled has been 
fully accomplished, the principles they symbolize triumphantly vindi- 
cated, and the Union of the States restored upon a firm and enduring 
basis." 

This ceremony over, the procession started at eleven 
o'clock a. m. The Boston Brigade Band accompanied the 
Independent Cadets who formed the escort, and Gilmore's 
Band preceded the Infantry Corps. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 17 

The route of march was from the Common to Tremont 
Street as far north as Hanover Street, then as far south as 
Dover Street and back to the Common throu.o-h ArHngton 
and Beacon Streets. 

In the Artillery Division, v^^hich made a fine display, the 
Fifth Mass. Battery, Brevet Major C. A. Phillips, marched 
with 40 men. 

The moment the head of the procession reached the State 
House, its arrival was announced by a gun from Light Bat- 
tery A on the Common. 

The color-bearers took their places on each side of the 
steps leading up to the front of the capitol. and the remain- 
der of the commands stood about in the yard on either side. 

The colors were raised when the Governor and his staff 
came forward, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Samuel 
K. Lothrop D. D. Chaplain of the Cadets. Gen. Couch 
then addressed the Governor. His speech ended with the 
words, — 

"May it please your Excellency, the colors of the Massachusetts 
Volunteers are returned to the State." 

In his address of acceptance Governor Andrew promised 
that they should be "preserved and cherished amid all the 
vicissitudes of the future, as mementoes of brave men and 
noble actions," and his pledge has been kept inviolate by 
successive Governors and legislatures, the result of whose 
combined efforts is a Memorial Hall designed especiallv to 
hold them, in simple grandeur second to none in the world, 
which forms a part of the rotunda of the capitol. In their 
sockets cut in the shelves of these niches the staves are firmly 
fixed, and from them forever droop the colors never more 
to be "loosed to the breeze." 

THE BATTERY FLAGS IN 1902. 
From the Report of Brigadier General and Acting Chief 



18 HISTORY OF THE 

of Ordnance Richard A. Peirce to the Governor and Com- 
mander-in-Chief, dated January i, 1866, for the year 1865: 

"Schedule of Worn Colors in charge of the Acting Chief of Ord- 
nance Dec. 31, 1865. . . . 

Sth Light Battery Mass. Volunteers 2 Guidons, silken, National." 

These are doubtless the flags belonging to the Battery now 
preserved at the State House as described August 11, 1900, 
by Mr. Charles O. Eaton, who made the flags for the troops 
in the first place, and has had exclusive charge of them since 
they were brought back from the War, viz.. 

No. I, a National Flag, stars and stripes, about five feet 
long, a large flag for a battery. It has no lettering, and is 
ragged and torn. It is made of silk, and has a staff with 
spear-head and battle-axe combined. 

No. 2, is a National Guidon in good condition, that is, not 
torn. It has a staff with spear-head. It is swallow tail 
form, with gold stars on a blue ground, and the stripes red 
and white alternate, beginning and ending with red. The 
names of the battles are inscribed with red letters on white 
stripes and gold colored letters on red stripes, beginning 
with Yorktown in the upper red stripe. The list of battles 
is the same as that given in General Order No. 10 p. 10 
except that "Second Bull Run" is written "Bull Run 2d." 

CORPS AND BRIGADE FLAGS AND BADGES. 

"He interposed only a pin between himself and the only thing he 
dreaded — oblivion. The pin held his name to his blouse, so that on 
the morrow the newspapers might tell who had died for his country." 

— Gen. W. W. Averell on the American Volunteer. 

The Corps, Division, and Brigade flags accompany the 
commanding general on the march, and are pitched in front 
of Head Quarters in camp. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 19 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Alexandria Seminary, Va. 

March 24, 1862. 
General Orders 
No. 102. 

Extract. 
X. Brigades in Divisions, and Divisions in Army Corps, will be 
numbered from right to left, but in reports of operations they will be 
designated by the names of their commanders. 

XL Flags will be used to designate the various Headquarters as 
follows : — 

General Head Quarters : National Flag. 

1st Army Corps, National Flag, with a small, square red flag be- 
neath; 2d Army Corps, National Flag, with a small, square, blue flag 
beneath; 3d. Army Corps, National Flag, with a small, square blue and 
red flag vertical beneath ; 4th. Army Corps, National Flag, with a small, 
square, blue and red flag horizontal beneath. 

1st. Division of an Army Corps, red flag 6 ft. long and 5 ft. wide. 

The Artillery will have the colors of the Division to which it be- 
longs, and be distinguished by a right angled triangular flag, six feet 
long and three feet wide at the staff. 

The Hospitals will be designated by a yellow flag. 

These flags will be attached to a portable staff 14 feet long, in two 
joints, and will be habitually displayed in front of the tent, or from 
some prominent part of the house or grounds occupied as the Head 
Quarters which they designate, and on the march shall be carried near 
the person of the officer commanding the Corps, Division, Brigade or 
Regiment it is intended to designate. 

By command of 

Maj Gen'l McClellan. 

S. Williams, 

A. A. G. 



This order, that in reports of operations the organizations 
should be designated by the names of their commanders, has 
done much to make incomprehensible the records of the 
War, and to rob those who merited them of the honors to 
which they were entitled, for in many instances only the 
last name of a commander is given, where there were several 
of the same name in the Division. 



20 HISTORY OF THE 

March 24, 1862, General Fitz John Porter's Division to 
which the Fifth Mass. Battery was attached, formed a part 
of the Third Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and had 
embarked at Alexandria for the Peninsula campaign and 
Yorktown. 

When the Fifth Corps was permanently established, July 
22, 1862, Porter's Division became the ist Division of that 
Corps. 

General Philip Kearney, who commanded a Division in 
the old Third Corps, ordered during the Peninsula campaign 
the wearing of a red diamond-shaped patch on the side of 
the cap, for identification of the members of his Division, 
which is said to have suggested the Corps badges devised 
by General Daniel Butterfield a year later, and adopted by 
Major General Joseph Hooker. 

The flag of the ist Division, Fifth Corps, in the spring 
campaign of 1863, was a rectangular white flag, with the 
red maltese cross in the centre. 

DISTINCTIVE CORPS BADGES. 

Head Quarters 

Army of the Potomac 

March 31st 1863. 
"Circular " 

For the purpose of ready recognition of Corps and Divisions of this 
Army, and to prevent injustice by reports of straggling and misconduct 
through mistake as to their organizations, the Chief Quartermaster 
will furnish without delay the following badges to be worn by the Of- 
ficers and Enlisted men of all the regiments of the various corps men- 
tioned. They will be securely fastened upon the centre of the tops of 
the caps. The inspecting officer will at all inspections see that these 
badges are worn as designated. 

5th Corps, a Maltese Cross. Red for ist Div : White for 2d Div: 
Blue for 3d Division. 

The size and color will be according to pattern. 

By command of Maj. Gen'l Hooker. 
S. Williams, 
(Sd.) A. A. G. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 21 

Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, 
April I. 1863. 
(The Badges are now being prepared and will shortly be furnished.) 
Official : 

(Signed) Fred T. Locke, 
A. A. G. 
Head Quarters ist Div. 5th Corps. 
April I. 1863. 
Official: (Sd.) C. W. B. Mervine, 

Asst. Adjt. Gen'l. 
Head Quarters Division Art'y 
ist Div. 5th Corps, April 2d. 1863. 
Official : 

A. P. Martin, 
Capt. Com'd'g Div. Artillery. 



These badges were worn upon the top of the men's caps, 
and on the sides of officers' hats. 

The Reserve ArtiUery had a swallow-tail flag, red, with 
cross cannons white, in the centre. 

From the Diary of Captain Nathan Appleton. 

Martin's Brigade Badge. 

"Sunday, November 22, 1863. Captain A. P. Martin 
gets up a Brigade badge. . . ." "The first time he went to 
Boston after this, he had one made by the firm of Guild, 
jewelers on Washington street. It is a maltese cross : the 
bars being of gold, and the centre a small maltese cross of 
stones, the white one being pearl, combining the three 
Division colors, red, white and blue, the pin at the top 
composed of two crossed cannons." 

HOSPITAL FLAGS. 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office 
Washington, Jan'y 4. 1864. 
General Orders 
No. 9. 
The Hospital and Ambulance Flags of the Army are established as 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

follows: — For General Hospitals, yellow bunting 9 by 5 feet, with the 
letter H, 24 inches long, of green bunting, in centre. 

For Post and Field Hospitals, yellow bunting 6 by 4 feet, with letter 
H, 24 inches long, of green bunting, in centre. 

For ambulances, and guidons to mark the way to Field Hospitals, 
yellow bunting 14 by 28 inches, with a border, one inch deep,, of green. 
By Order of the Secretary of War, 

E. D. TOWNSEND^ 

Ass't Adjt. General. 

HEAD QUARTERS FLAGS. 

UNDER GRANT AND MEADE. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, 

May 2. 10.30 a. m. 1864. 
Circular : 

Hereafter the designating flag for these Head Qrs. will be a ma- 
genta colored swallow tail flag, with an eagle in gold surrounded by a 
silver wreath for an emblem. 

By command of Maj. Gen'l Meade. 

(Sgd) S. Williams, 

Ass't Adjt. Gen'l. 
Head Qrs. 5th Army Corps. 

May 2, 1864. 

Official : 

(Sgd) Fred T. Locke, 

Ass't Adjt. General. 
Head Qrs Art'y. Brig. 5th A. C. 

May 3, 1864. 
Official: A. Matthewson, 

Lieut. & A. A. A. Gen'l. 

THE LETTER E. 

In the estimate for clothing for October, 1864, in Quar- 
ter Master Sergeant Wm. H. Peacock's Account Book, are 
30 blouses, 40 caps, 100 cross cannon, and 100 Letter E. 
See p. 50 General Order No. 86, Consolidation o± Artil- 
lery. 



CHAPTER II. 
IN 'SIXTY- ONE. 

"They knew how genuine glory was put on; 
Taught us how rightfully a nation shone 
In splendor ; what strength was, that would not bend 
But in magnanimous weakness." 

— William Wordsworth. 

In the first moment of the declaration of a Union of 
States bearing the title of the United States of America, 
the germ of expansion had taken root, and following close 
upon its rapid growth came the anxiety for the safety of 
the seat of government. John Quincy Adams in a speech 
in Congress on April 14, 1842, thus gave expression to his 
belief that the vicinity of Washington would, sooner or 
later, become the theatre of a great conflict : — "If civil war 
come" said he, "if insurrection come, is this beleaguered 
capital, is this besieged government to see millions of its 
subjects in arms, and have no right to break the fetters 
which they are forging into swords ? No ! The war power 
of the government can sweep this institution (slavery) into 
the Gulf." 

The "institution" standing thus between the States, an 
ever present, ever increasing source of ill feeling, was nev- 
ertheless not the immediate provocation that roused the 
North to action in 'Sixty-One. Not the slightest allusion 
was publicly made to it amidst the bustle and unusual ex- 
citement of a military character, which unsettled the pub- 
lic mind; in which decision and hesitation alternated, 
when men resolved and women pleaded tearfully, then 
yielded with a proud, fond foreboding, too soon realized, 

23 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

of the sacrifice to come: but the plea was always the dan- 
ger that menaced the capital and the threatened dissever- 
ance of the Union; a plea which was comprehended in 
England as shown by a few words of John Bright in a 
speech at Rochdale, when he declared : — "If the thirty- 
three or thirty-four States of the American Union can 
break off whenever they like, I can see nothing but disas- 
ter and confusion throughout the whole of that continent. 
I say that the war, be it successful or not, be it Christian 
or not, be it wise or not, is a war to sustain the govern- 
ment and to sustain the authority of a great nation." 

In 1 86 1, John A. Andrew was Governor of the state 
of Massachusetts, John Z. Goodrich Lieutenant Governor, 
Oliver Warner Secretary, Henry K. Oliver Treasurer. 
President of the Senate William Claflin, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives John A. Goodwin. Clerk of the 
Senate Stephen N. Gifford, Clerk of the House William 
Stowe. The Rev. A. L. Stone was Chaplain of the House, 
the Rev. A. S. Patton of the Senate. Maj. John Morissey 
was Sergeant-at-Arms. 

The Governor's Staff consisted of Lieutenant-Colonels 
Horace Binney Sargent, Harrison Ritchie, John W. Weth- 
erell and Henry Lee Jr. 

The members of the United States Senate from Massa- 
chusetts, were Charles Sumner, who was chairman of the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Henry Wilson, who 
was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. U. S. 
Representatives from this state were Thomas D. Eliot, 
James Buflington, Benjamin F. Thomas, Alexander H. 
Rice, William Appleton, John B. Alley, Daniel W. Gooch, 
Charles R. Train, Goldsmith F. Bailey, Charles Delano, 
Henry L. Dawes. 

Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, had been elected President 
of the United States, and Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, 
Vice President. The election took place on November 6, 
i860. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 25 

South Carolina, the most recalcitrant State, had threat- 
ened, in case Abraham Lincoln was elected, to secede from 
the Union, in order to form a new confederacy of those 
states which upheld the traffic in slaves. Accordingly, not- 
withstanding Congress was not in session until the 3d of 
December, i860, the members of the United States Senate 
from South Carolina hastened to resign their seats. It 
was determined that United States law should no longer 
be administered in that state, and the United States judge 
for the district of South Carolina resigned his office. 
Other civil officers of the Government followed suit, the 
palmetto flag of South Carolina displaced the flag of our 
Union on several vessels in Charleston harbor, and a con- 
vention of the people was recommended by the state legis- 
lature then in session. On December 20, i860. South 
Carolina by a unanimous vote formally passed an ordinance 
of secession; commissioners were appointed to proceed to 
Washington to treat with the United States, and soon 
thereafter its representatives in Congress dissolved their 
connection with that body. 

Thus was inaugurated the War of the Rebellion, for 
Georgia soon joined her fortunes with those of South 
Carolina, and the "blue cockade" a sign in former years of 
South Carolina's nullification, appeared in the streets of 
Savannah. In 1832, South Carolina nullified the revenue 
laws of the Union. 

January 5, 1861, John A. Andrew was inaugurated Gov- 
ernor of the Commonwealth and on the 14th a committee 
of the State Senate made the following report: 

Report of a Committee. 

In Senate, January 14, 1861. 
The Committee on the Militia, to whom was referred the portion of 
the Governor's address relating to the Militia, beg leave to report that 
they have considered the suggestions therein contained, and in order to 
give the Commander-in-Chief the power of immediately increasing the 
efficiency of an active militia by enlarging the number of privates in 



26 HISTORY OF THE 

comoanies of cavalry and infantry, by organizing new companies, and 
filling up to their quota the regiments and battalions now existing, and 
by increasing the whole force on the present basis, to such an extent 
as in his opinion the exigencies of the times may require, unanimously 
recommend the passage of the accompanying Act. 

For the Committee, 

Charles O. Rogers. 

This report was accepted but before the bill came up in 
the Senate the following General Order was issued by the 
Adjutant General of the State. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Head Quarters, Boston. 

January i6, 1861. 
[General Order No. 4.] 

Events which have recently occurred, and are now in progress, 
require that Massachusetts should be at all times ready to furnish her 
quota upon any requisition of the President of the United States, to 
aid in the maintenance of the laws, and the peace of the Union. His 
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief therefore orders. — 

That the commanding officer of each company of Vplunteer Militia 
examine with care the roll of his company, and cause the name of 
each member, together with his rank and place of residence, to be 
properly recorded, and a copy of the same to be forwarded to the office 
of the Adjutant General. Previous to which commanders of com- 
panies shall make strict inquirv, whether there are men in their com- 
mands who from age, physical defect, business, or family causes, may 
be unable, or indisposed to respond at once to the orders of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, made in response to the call of the President of the 
United States, that they be forthwith discharged, so that their places 
may be filled by men ready for any public exigency which may arise, 
whenever called upon. 

After the above orders shall have been fulfilled, no discharge, either 
of officer or private shall be granted, unless for cause satisfactory to 
the Commander-in-Chief. H any companies have not the number of 
men allowed by law, the commanders of the same, shall make proper 
exertions to have the vacancies filled, and the men properly drilled and 
uniformed, and their names and places of residence forwarded to Head 
Quarters. 

To promote the objects embraced in this order, the general, field, 
and staff officers, and the Adjutant and Acting Quartermaster General 
will give all the aid and assistance in their power. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 27 

Major Generals Sutton, Morse and Andrews, will cause this order 
to be promulgates throughout their respective divisions. 

By command of His Excellency, John A. Andrew, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 
William Schouler, 

Adjutant General. 
Adjutant General Schouler in his "History of Massa- 
chusetts in the Civil War" says that although this order 
was criticised as unnecessary and sensational, in some 
quarters, it was obeyed with alacrity by those to whom it 
was addressed. 

Next came the discussion of the Militia Bill in the State 
Senate : 

AN ACT IN RELATION TO THE VOLUNTEER 

MILITIA. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- 
eral Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 

Section i. The volunteer militia companies, as now organized, 
with their officers, shall be retained in the service : and, hereafter, as 
the public exigency may require, the organization of companies of ar- 
tillery may be authorized, on petition, by the Commander-in-Chief, 
with advice of the Council, and the organization of other companies 
may be authorized on petition by the CoYiimander-in-Chief, or by the 
mayor and aldermen or selectmen by his permission ; but all additional 
companies, battalions and regiments which may be organized under the 
provisions of this Act, shall be disbanded whenever the Governor, or 
the legislature, shall deem that their services are no longer needed. 
Companies of cavalry shall be limited to one hundred privates and a 
saddler and a farrier: companies of artillery to forty-eight cannoneers, 
twenty- four drivers, and a saddler and a farrier : the cadet companies 
of the first and second divisions to one hundred, and companies of in- 
fantry and riflemen to sixty-four privates. 

Section 2. The fourteenth section of the thirteenth chapter of the 
General Statutes, and all laws or parts of laws now in force, limiting 
the number of the volunteer militia, are hereby repealed. 

Section 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 

Senate, January 18, 1861. 

Passed to be engrossed. 

Sent down for concurrence. 

S. N. GiFFORD, Clerk. 

There were several substitute bills but they were re- 
jected, and the bill as here given passed both branches; 
amended in Section i, by the insertion of the words, 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

"and said companies so retained and so organized, shall be liable on a 
requisition of the President of the United States upon the Commander- 
in-Chief to be marched without the limits of the Commonwealth," — 

after the lines referring to the authorization of the com- 
panies and before those referring to their disbandment. 

It was signed by the Governor February 15, 1861, but 
in the mean time Resolutions had passed both branches 
and received the Governor's signature, for plans for seces- 
sion were rapidly reaching their consummation in the 
Southern States, and the situation became more and more 
one of anxiety and alarm. Mississippi promptly gave evi- 
dence of her affiliation with the seceding states. Jefferson 
Davis, afterwards president of the confederacy, who had 
been U. S. Secretary of War under President Franklin 
Pierce, and was then U. S. senator from Mississippi, took 
leave of the U. S. Senate on January 20, 1861. It was 
months before the other Southern States passed ordinances 
of secession, and the western portion of Virginia never 
wavered in her loyalty to the Union, but was made a new 
state, that of West Virginia, while the conflict raged in the 
eastern portion of her sacred soil. There was in all the 
southern states a respectable minority in favor of the 
Union who found their most distinguished representative in 
the person of ex-President Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, 
on the pedestal of whose monument were cut in the solid 
granite by the order of the citizens of that state, his mem- 
orable words : — "The Union must and shall be preserved." 

It was the union of the State of Virginia with the Con- 
federacy which placed Washington, the capital of the na- 
tion in imminent peril for four years. Already, in the win- 
ter of 'Sixty-One the extremity of the Long Bridge across 
the Potomac River over which was the passage south out 
of Washington, was "hostile soil." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 29 



RESOLUTIONS TN THE MASSACHUSETTS 
LEGISLATURE. 

January 23, 1861, the Governor signed the following: 
Resolves tendering the Aid of the Commonwealth to the 

President of the United States, in enforcing the Laws and 

Preserving the Union. 

Whereas, Several states of the Union have through the action of 
their people and authorities, assumed the attitude of rebellion against 
the national government; and whereas, treason is still more extensively 
diffused, and, whereas, the state of South Carolina, having first seized 
the post office, custom house, moneys, arms, munitions of war and 
fortifications of the federal government, has, by firing upon a vessel in 
the service of the United States, committed an act of war : and, 
whereas, the forts and property of the United States in Georgia, Ala- 
bama, Louisiana and Florida, have been seized with hostile and trea- 
sonable intention : and, whereas, senators and representatives in Con- 
gress avow and sanction these acts of treason and rebellion : therefore, 

Resolved, That the legislature of Massachusetts, now, as always, 
convinced of the inestimable value of the Union, and the necessity of 
preserving its blessings to ourselves and our posterity, regard with un- 
mingled satisfaction the determination evinced in the recent firm and 
patriotic special message of the President of the United States (James 
Buchanan) to amply and faithfully discharge his constitutional duty of 
enforcing the laws and preserving the integrity of the Union : and we 
proffer to him, through the Governor of the Commonwealth, such aid 
in men and money as he may require, to maintain the authority of the 
national government. 

Resolved, That the Union-loving and patriotic authorities, represent- 
atives and citizens of those states whose loyalty is endangered or 
assailed by internal or external treason, who labor in behalf of the 
Federal Union with unflinching courage and patriotic devotion, will 
receive the enduring gratitude of the American oeo'^le. 

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward, forthwith, 
conies of the foregoing resolutions, to the President of the United 
States, and the Governors of the several states. 

Approved January 23, 1861. 

At this period, and intimately connected with the scenes 
enacted in the national capital previous to the inaugura- 
tion of President Lincoln March 4, 1861, immortal names 



30 HISTORY OF THE 

of Massachusetts illumine every page of history, names, 
some of which are borne by members of the Battery and 
by others whose influence swayed its fortunes. Here also 
Rhode Island, so closely connected with the Battery in its 
marches, camps, and battles, furnishes her quota of lead- 
ing figures. 

It was as members of a commission appointed to repre- 
sent the interests of Massachusetts on a question of dis- 
puted boundary between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
— a question which had long been in dispute, the first re- 
port of a commission having been made to this Common- 
wealth February 21, 1792, — in the Supreme Court of the 
United States, that four lawyers met at Washington in 
January, 1861 : Ex-Governor John H. Clifford of New 
Bedford, who had been attorney general of the state from 
1849 to 1853, ^^"id again from 1854 to 1858, and was then 
"Of Counsel for the Commonwealth,^ and Hon. Stephen 
H. Phillips who had been attorney general since 1858, rep- 
resented Massachusetts; the Hon. Charles S. Bradley ex- 
Chief Justice, and the Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes, repre- 
sented Rhode Island. All arrived in Washington before 
January 26, 1861. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton was then 
U. S. Attorney General, holding that office in the Cabinet 
of the retiring President, James Buchanan. 

An account of an interview between Attorney General 
Stanton and these gentlemen, with attending circumstances, 
by the late Hon. Stephen H. Phillips, from which these 
facts are taken, was published in the New York Sun, June 
II, 1893. He was then the only surviving member of the 
commission. 

On Wednesday evening Tanuary 30, 1861, a special mes- 
senger was sent to Willard's Hotel to convey the gentlemen 
from Massachusetts to the Attorney General's office in the 
Treasury Building. 

Stanton said when Governor Clifford remarked upon the 
difficult access to the building, that such strictness might 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 31 

keep honest men out, but that aU the pubHc buildings were 
full of traitors. In relation to the seizure of all the ar- 
chives and muniments of the Government, the following is 
quoted by Mr. Phillips from a letter written by Governor 
Clifford to Gen. the Hon. Henry Wilson, dated Feb. 5, 
1871 :— 

"When it was known with what facility this could have been accom- 
plished, and a provisional Government declared, with the ready recog- 
nition of almost every diplomatic representative of foreign governments 
then in Washington, it is not surprising that I should have felt in 
passing through the corridors of the Treasury building at midnight 
with two or three superannuated watchmen only for its custody and 
defense, as if I were walking over a mined fortress, that might at any 
moment be blown up under my feet." 

At the time of this interview of January 30, 1861, the 
navy had been dispersed where it would do no good, the 
"Brooklyn"' was the only fighting ship at Secretary Tou- 
cey's disposal, (Isaac Toucey of Connecticut was Secre- 
tary of the Navy) the officers of the Naval Academy and 
the practice ship "Constitution" and the northern cadets 
generally were loyal. 

Secretary Stanton thought that the militia could be 
promptly mobilized only in three states, viz., New York, 
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. 

The following is a copy of a letter signed John H. Clif- 
ford and Stephen H. Phillips to Governor John A. Andrew, 
written that night after their return to the Hotel from 
their call upon the U. S. Attorney General : — 

Washington, Wednesday night, 

January 30, 1861. 
Dear Sir. 

In an interview we have had with the Attorney General of the 
United States, we have been authorized to express to you confidentially 
ins individual opinion that there is imminent if not inevitable peril of 
an attack upon the city of Washington, between the 4th and 15th Feb- 
ruary, with a view to secure the svmbols of Government, and the 
power and prestige of possessions bv the traitors who are plotting the 
dissolution of the Union. 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

We have a moment before the closing of the mail, to say to you, 
in this informal way, that no vigilance should be relaxed for Massa- 
chusetts to be ready at any moment, and upon a sudden emergency, to 
come to the succor of the Federal Government. 

This may be an unnecessary precaution, but we feel that it is a sim- 
ple discharge of a plain duty on our part, to give you the intimation of 
what we have heard from a source of such high authority. 

In great haste we are very truly and respectfully, 

John H. Clifford. 
Stephen H. Phillips. 

Gov. Andrew. 



Clifford said to Phillips "Bradley and you must get 
through your printing by Friday. If the Supreme Court 
endures till then we will pack up and go home, arouse the 
people, and await the logic of events." 

The "logic of events" was a favorite phrase of the seces- 
sionists. Phillips says "They reckoned upon getting the 
revolution well under way, and afterwards trusting to the 
'logic of events.' " 

Stanton mentioned that General Scott, who was at the 
head of the Army, had prevailed on the President to send 
for two more batteries. 

Stanton was an old democrat, without as he, himself, 
said, affiliation with Republican leaders, neither was he in 
the councils of Mr. Lincoln and his friends, yet he ac- 
cepted the entire responsibility of publishing to all whom it 
might concern, his profound sense of the impending peril, 
and his earnest appeal to all in authority to contribute their 
utmost energy for the preservation of the Union. 

The day after the meeting at the office of the U. S. At- 
torney General, the gentlemen from Massachusetts sent a 
letter to the Hon. Horace Gray, explaining much that Mr. 
Stanton had told them, and especially indicating- the route 
through Annapolis which Mr. Stanton favored. Mr. Gray 
was to apprise Governor Andrew of the contents of this 
letter. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 33 

Mr. Felton of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti- 
more Railroad in a conversation with Mr. Clifford that 
day, said he was alarmed for his bridges. 

On Friday, February ist, Governor Clifford explained 
the elaborate details of the disputed boundary case to the 
Supreme Court, and then alluding to the troubled condi- 
tion of the country, protested that in New England we 
should resort to no arms but those of the law to settle 
troubles between sister states. He used few words, but the 
placid dignity of his manner made a profound impression. 
When he got through the Chief Justice gave special direc- 
tions to the Clerk, carefully notifying that the plat and sur- 
veys must be returned into court by the ist of August. 
(See p. 47. Letter of C. A. Phillips.) 

Feb. 2, 1 86 1, Saturday, the commissioners left Washing- 
ton. At the President street station they passed a long 
train, with pieces of artillery, caissons, horses, and the 
equipage of a light battery, followed by three cars full of 
soldiers. This was the West Point battery, which had left 
the Military Academy the day before, commanded by 
Lieut. Charles Griffin, afterwards a Division and Corps 
commander often mentioned in these pages. The orders 
of which Mr. Stanton had spoken had been executed with 
military promptness. 

In a New York newspaper which they obtained at Tren- 
ton, Mr. Clifford read what caused him to exclaim "Our 
letter has reached Boston." Then he read that by request 
of Governor Andrew, the legislature of Massachuetts went 
the day before into secret session, in consequence of alarm- 
ing news from Washington, and placed an emergency fund 
of $100,000 at the disposal of the Governor. 

In New York Mr. Phillips met John Bigelow, then con- 
nected with the New York Evening Post, who urged him 
to go to Albany to see Governor Morgan which the Mas- 
sachusetts gentlemen refused to do. Mr. Bigelow called, 
bringing Mr. W. C. Bryant and a friend of the Governor, 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

but Phillips earnestly exhorted them to persuade Gov. Mor- 
gan to send some officer of the National Guard to confer at 
Washington with General Scott and the secretary of war, 
[Ex-Postmaster General Joseph Holt of Kentucky an hon- 
orable and patriotic Democrat, was then Secretary of War] , 
and this timely warning in New York no doubt resulted in 
the readiness of the N. Y. /tli Regiment to go to Washing- 
ton the following April. The commissioners reached Bos- 
ton at 1 1 o'clock p. m. Monday Feb. 4th, going to the 
Tremont House, where they met more friends anxious for 
news. They seemed to be preparing for the worst, which 
simply meant war. 

Mr. Phillips went to the State House at an early hour, 
and was cordially welcomed by Governor Andrew, who 
spoke of their letter as acceptable, not because it contained 
anything unexpected, but because it was the first responsi- 
ble and compact statement which he could show to others. 

Everything was bustle about the Governor's room. Mili- 
tary preparations were universal. 

Later in the day, after Mr. Clifford's call on the Govern- 
or, Colonel Harrison Ritchie was ordered to proceed to 
Washington at once, to be in communication with Mr. 
Stanton and General Scott according to Clifford's advice. 

In a sketch of Governor Andrew by Albert G. Browne 
Jr. military secretary to the Governor during the war. pub- 
lished in 1868, is the following in relation to the route to 
Washington by sea : — 

"General Scott and Governor Andrew in consultation had provided 
in anticipation of obstruction of their route overland, that they should 
proceed by sea and be disembarked either under cover of the guns of 
Fort McHenry at Baltimore, or else at Annapolis Md., and steamers 
were kept for weeks in readiness at his (the Governor's) bidding, to 
transport them to the Chesapeake." 

This in point of time was January and February, 1861. 
Fort McHenrv was built in the form of a star, the guns 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 35 

being placed on the projections. Towards the city of Balti- 
more there were open and level grounds affording an op- 
portunity for 50,000 men to manoeuvre. The walls were 
earth embankments, not more than six to eight feet in 
height. Mr. Phillips thus refers in his article to what 
occurred in March and April : — 

"During the inauguration of President Lincoln, it was thought pru- 
dent to display a strong military force and to conceal a stronger one. 
All the avenues and approaches to the Capitol and even the roofs of 
buildings were guarded by armed men and artillery posted to sweep 
the streets. Little more than a month later, in consequence of the 
attack on Fort Sumter, the new President appealed to ''the country 
and 5,500 men of Massachusetts and 1,000 from Rhode Island with 
Governor Sprague at their head, moved almost at the tap of the 
drum." 

LINCOLN'S CABINET. 

President Lincoln's Cabinet consisted of William H. 
Seward Secretary of State, Simon Cameron Secretary of 
War, Gideon Welles Secretary of the Navy, Salmon P. 
Chase Secretary of the Treasury, Edward Bates Attorney 
General. The Department of the Interior was in charge 
of Caleb Smith and the Post Office Department had Mont- 
gomery Blair at its head. These counsellors of the Presi- 
dent exercised a marked influence on the conduct of the 
War in its earliest years. 

March 9, 1861, the Confederate Congress passed an Act 
for the organization of an army, and the Confederate Sec- 
retary of War prophesied that the Confederate flag would 
float over the Capitol at Washington before the ist of May, 
and it might float eventually over Faneuil Hall itself. 

April 12, 1 86 1, the attack was made by the Confedei-- 
ates on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, and 30,000,000 peo- 
ple, it was said, watched the contest by telegraph. 

April 15, 1 86 1, Abraham Lincoln President of the 
United States issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 
men. 



36 HISTORY OF THE 



THE ROADS TO WASHINGTON. 

The railroad bridges of the Northern and Central Penn- 
sylvania and the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railway, 
crossed several rivers within the boundaries, and on the 
night of the 19th of April, 1861, after the Massachusetts 
6th Reg't. Infantry, had fought its way through the riot- 
ous city of Baltimore, the bridges over them were destroyed 
by the order of the authorities of the city. 

Besides the route from the north to Washington through 
Baltimore, there were two other routes viz., one by the 
Potomac River, and the other by way of Annapolis. The 
route adopted by the New York 7th Regiment Infantry was 
followed for months by all succeeding regiments from the 
North. From Philadelphia there were two ways to Annap- 
olis, one down the Delaware River, passing the capes of 
Chesapeake Bay, through the Bay and up the Severn River 
to the harbor of Annapolis, the other was to go to Havre 
de Grace, from Philadelphia, and from there to Annapolis. 
The N. Y. 7th took the latter route. All the rails were up 
from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and communica- 
tion between Washington and the North by rail and wire, 
was destroyed. Telegraphing direct from Washington to 
New York, was suspended for nine days. 

At this time Charles A. Phillips a younger brother of 
the Attorney General and afterwards captain of the Bat- 
tery, having graduated from Harvard College class of 
i860, at the age of 19, was studying law in a lawyer's of- 
fice in New York. The following is an extract from his 
Journal. 

New York. Monday, April 22, 1861 : "I start on 
Wednesday to join Salem Zouaves — uniform ordered — re- 
volver purchased and all ready. T am just packing this 
book away." 

The Salem three months men were passing through 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 37 

New York bound South. The next day he wrote home, 
"I am off for Washington. I have stood it as long as I 
could and can't keep away : I was asked to join the 9th 
Regiment here but I prefer to join the Salem Zouaves, so 
I am going on to join them and see if they will not take 
me. I shall start at the earliest opportunity, probably on 
Wednesday or Thursday, with the 9th Regiment. Mas- 
sachusetts is doing nobly and exciting the admiration of all 
here." 

Still in New York on April 24th he wrote to one of his 
brothers: — 'T want to get on to Washington and join the 
Salem Light Infantry, but find I may have some difficulty 
in getting on. Can't you get me some certificate or some- 
thing of the sort from the authorities in Massachusetts, that 
will put me through? I have no doubt Captain Devereaux 
will take me. 

Can't you get a note from Gov. Andrew passing me on 
to Washington as a recruit to the S. L. I.? They are 
rather short of men, only 64, and ought to be glad to get 
me. I am determined to go, somehow, and if you can get 
me something of the sort I can get an opportunity to leave 
with the 9th Reg't. which will leave here no earlier than 
Friday afternoon, and probably not before Saturday. Miss- 
ing these, I can probably get a chance very soon. I pre- 
fer a Massachusetts regiment. Please see what you can do 
for me." 

The advice he received from his brother was that if he 
was to join the Salem Zouaves, or Light Infantry, he must 
go home and start from Massachusetts. Another brother 
Edward W. Phillips afterwards lieutenant in the 50th Mas- 
sachusetts Infantry, had joined the Fourth Battalion. 
The New York Seventh Regiment arrived in Washington 
at noon of April 25th and were cheered by the Sixth Mas- 
sachusetts outside the Capitol as they approached the sta- 
tion. For five days Washington had been isolated from the 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

rest of the world, defended only by a small force of Regu- 
lars and District Militia, the Massachusetts Sixth Regi- 
ment, and citizens, including congressmen from the west- 
ern states; not more than five thousand men under arms. 
The windows of the public buildings by order of General 
Scott were barricaded and earthworks were thrown up. 
The principal passage ways of the Treasury and the Capi- 
tol were defended by howitzers which raked their length. 
Breastworks were set up in the Capitol made of the iron 
plates cast for the dome supported by barrels of cement and 
heaps of stone and timber. The basement of the building 
was used as a kitchen and bakery, and after communication 
with the North was resumed, troops bivouacked in the ro- 
tunda, and the chambers of the Senate and House were 
turned into barracks. 

A large proportion of the incumbents of the public offi- 
ces in all the Departments, had been retained by the in- 
coming administration, and it was well known that among- 
them were many spies and traitors, ready to give aid and 
encouragement to the enemv in the destruction of the Gov- 
ernment to which they had taken the oath of allegiance. 
The Confederacy had a considerable force the whole line, 
from the Chesapeake Bay to Edward's Ferry, about 30 
miles above the capital. Maryland was then mainly in 
hostile possession. Baltimore and Ashland Md. were in 
the hands of the insurgents. Tlie White House and Treas- 
ury building might be destroyed by long range cannon 
aimed from Arlington Heights two miles away. 

The number of troops then reported at Richmond under 
command of the rebel general Beauregard was 27,000 men, 
in addition to the Virginia troops in the vicinity of Wash- 
ington. 

The Long Bridge had been secured by General Scott, and 
the bridge at Georgetown had been rendered useless. 

If taken, the capital could not have been retained against 
superior numbers, but the capture would have placed the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 39 

archives in the hands of the enemies of the Union. Wash- 
ington was, however, in the words of President Lincoln, 
considered "safe for the country and the Constitution," 
after the Mass. 6th Regiment via Baltimore, and the New 
York 7th via Annapolis had arrived, although there was 
"great need of reinforcements." 

PRIVATE OF MARINES. 

C. A. Phillips instead of going to Washington as he pro- 
posed in his New York letters, went to Salem and as he 
recorded in his Journal of July 27th, 1861, "got a place 
as private of marines on board the Propeller 'Cambridge' 
owned by the State of Massachusetts and the underwriters 
of Boston. 

Sergeant of Marines John Dove. 

Corporal Chas. J. Lee." 
There were other Salem young men on this transport. 

FOUR LETTERS OF C. A. PHILLIPS. 

(Boston, Mass.) 
"Propeller Cambridge T Wharf. 
Wednesday Evening, May i, 1861. 

We got on board here about two hours ago. and are just 
sitting down. Yesterday we did nothing but drill a little, 
get caps etc. About 5 o'clock we were dismissed for the 
night, and I went out to Cambridge and spent the night 
with Fox and Scott. Fox was keeping guard at the Ar- 
senal in the rain till 9 o'clock this morning. We reported 
at 9 o'clock, and after loafing round a little while, we signed 
a receipt for equipments etc. and then the Articles, and 
took an oath of allegiance. After this we were dismissed 
till 3, and Huntington and I went over to Jamaica Plain; 
our uniforms passing us over the road free. At half past 
two we got our uniforms, and started for Roxbury with 
the Sergeant. Our uniform consists of a dark blue fatigue 



40 HISTORY OF THE 

cap with a bugle in front, dark blue frock coat with brass 
buttons and yellow trimmings, and light blue pants, alto- 
gether a snug looking uniform. After standing in the rain 
some time we got into a car and started for Roxbury. Ar- 
riving at the Sergeant's we stumbled into the middle of an 
Irish picnic party and a good many small boys. The Ser- 
geant — John Dove — has a pretty little house and quite a 
large estate, into which we marched and paraded for a 
little time, after which we marched into the house, stacked 
our arms in the back parlor, and then marched into the 
front parlor to be introduced to the notabilities. Here we 
found quite a crowd gathered to receive us, particularly 
young ladies. After a short interval of conversation, we 
adjourned to the dining-room and prepared to ]Ditch in. 
The Sergeant had prepared quite a little collation of oys- 
ters, ham, corned beef, salad, coffee, lemonade etc. to 
which you may be assured we did ample justice, particular- 
ly as I had had no dinner. After this we returned imme- 
diately to our quarters and were ordered to prepare to go 
on board. Accordingly we shouldered our knapsacks and 
haversacks, took our revolvers, formed, and marched down 
State Street. 

Here we got our first taste of glory. 

The small boys hurrahed, the people stood still and 
looked, and for a short time we were the centre of attrac- 
tion. Our men are pretty good looking, and a pretty good 
set of fellows. Their names are Sergeant John Dove, Cor- 
poral C. J. Lee, Privates James Turner, Andrew Miller, 

Albert Upton, Arnold, Ben Nichols, C. E. Pond, 

-■ Cutler, Henry, Frank Pope, W. D. Huntington, 

C. A. Phillips. 

When we got to the wharf we found the 'Cambridge' 
lying ready to take in her guns, which were on the wharf : 
two 8 in. to go forward, one small brass to go on the quar- 
ter deck, another ditto to go forward. We are quartered in 
the state rooms, — 3 in a room — opening into the cabin. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 41 

Huntington, Lee and I are in one room. Our state rooms 
are first rate and our accommodations excellent. At this 
moment we are most of us sitting around the cabin table. 78 
bunks have been fitted up amidships to carry two men in 
each, recruits. We shall sail tomorrow for Fort Monroe 
and Annapolis. Our Articles bind us for 30 days unless 
sooner discharged." 

"Propeller Cambridge 

Off Cape Cod 
May 2, 186 1. 

As I shall get a chance to send a letter at Holmes Hole 
by William Lee I have come down from deck to write a 
little. To continue my journal which I sent by Mr. Hunt- 
ington : — Last evening we turned into our state rooms 
and enjoyed a good night's rest till about 7 o'clock. As 
the cook had neglected to provide for us we went on shore 
to get breakfast. At half past nine having returned to the 
boat, we were put on guard at the gangways and on the 
wharf, while we took on board our guns: — two 8 in. for- 
ward, one 12 pounder brass gun on the forecastle, and one 
12 pound rifled brass gun on the quarter deck. From 9 
and one half to 11 and one half, I was keeping guard on 
the wharf, my musket gaining weight very rapidly. At 11 
and one half we cast off, and steamed down the harbor, 
saluting Fort Independence as we passed. We were too 
far off, however, to distinguish any faces. 

At noon our duties proper commenced, and so far consist 
in mounting guard three at a time, two at the after com- 
panion way, and prevent any but officers, marines, etc. 
from passing, and one on the lower deck over the forward 
hatchway, to prevent any smoking, fire etc., the powder 
being stored below. The last guard carries a cutlass, and 
the post is not considered a very desirable one, as it helps 
on sea-sickness very much. The weather was very rough 
coming out, the number stretched out on deck was very 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

large, and I fared like the rest, but having now cast up 
my account and eaten a good dinner I feel all right. We 
dine in the cabin, faring like the officers on roast beef, ham, 
potatoes etc. Owing to the number of officers on board 
we have been crammed a little, 6 being quartered in each 
state room : but as we shall keep watch and watch, this will 
not trouble us much. The watches will be set tonight at 
8 o'clock. There are two watches of six each, four hours 
apiece, two at the companion way, two at the powder 
hatch, and two on deck. We have a number of troops on 
board, I do not know how many, bunked amidships. We 
shall stop at Fort Monroe, then at Annapolis, and thence, 
nobody knows where." 

"Washington May g, i86i. 

4 o'clock P. M. 

My last letter left me at Fort Monroe, Saturday night. 
Sunday morning we hauled up to the wharf and landed 
about a hundred troops, and then took in six eight inch 
Columbiads and 1200 shells to carry to Washington. This 
was quite a job as there were no machines for handling the 
heavy guns. The shells were passed in quite easily, a string 
of riflemen forming, and passing them from hand to hand. 
During the day we got two hours leave of absence, and 
visited the Fort. This is a tremendous fort and a very 
pleasant place. The grounds are planted with apple trees 
and the officers' quarters are surrounded with gardens 
full of roses and flowers of all kinds, in full bloom. After 
exploring the Fort thoroughly we went down to see the 
big gun which stands out on the point on a concrete plat- 
form, solitary and alone. They say they won't allow it to 
be fired, because it breaks all the windows in the Fort. 
After getting in a part of our cargo, we hauled into the 
stream and lay there over night, keeping a strict guard, to 
guard against any attack. In the morning we found the 
steamer 'Roanoke' lying alongside, and while speculating 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 43 

as to her character and passengers, her boat came alongside 
with Capt. Devereaux and Lieut. Putnam of the Salem 
Zouaves, who were going to Washington in the 'Roa- 
noke.' By this time we could see the fellows on the quarter 
deck getting leave of absence. We started in the ship's 
boat for the 'Roanoke.' The wind was blowing heavily, 
and I had a tremendous long oar, but Cambridge training 
showed itself, and very soon we arrived. We met quite 
a cordial reception on deck, and had quite a jolly time till 
our leave expired and we reluctantly rowed back. Luckily, 
however, we did not part here : the 'Roanoke' wanted to 
go up the Potomac, and havinp- no guns hardly dared to go 
alone, not knowing how many batteries might have been 
erected along the shore. 

As we were armed and our new Captain not unwilling 
to try our guns, we changed our destination and agreed to 
go as a convoy. 

About 11.30 Monday morning, having got all our cargo 
on board, we steamed ofif up Chesapeake Bay in company 
with the 'Roanoke.' The weather was squally and un- 
pleasant, but nevertheless we contrived to enjoy the sail. 
About 8.30 we arrived in the mouth of the Potomac and 
anchored for the night. 

About 20 of Dodd's Rifles turned out to assist us in the 
watch, and we began to realize that we were in an enemy's 
country. We were armed with rifles and revolvers loaded 
and capped, and had ten rounds of ball cartridge in our 
boxes. Our orders were not to allow any boat to approach 
the ship, but to hail it and to fire if they did not sheer off, 
and, as the Captain observed, to fire very quick. 

However, we were not molested, as the secessionists 
evidently did not care to attempt to cut out an armed 
steamer. 

The rifle which we carry on night watch, is a very pretty 
one, with a large bore and rather heavy, but very neat and 
serviceable. 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

Early in the morning we started up the Potomac, the 
'Roanoke' ahead with a pilot. The day was lovely, and 
we had a splendid sail up the river. We saw nothing of 
the batteries thrown up along the river and we think they 
must be somewhere else. However, we were all ready for 
them ; our guns were shotted and run out, and all of us, who 
were not on duty, were ordered to be between decks to 
serve the big guns. 

Acquia Creek was the point where we apprehended an 
attack, and as we approached it, the Captain told the gun- 
ners to get ready to be fired into. Our 8 inch gun on the 
port bow was cleared for action, the tackle run out, sight 
adjusted, and all the preparations made. As we approached 
the critical point the 'Roanoke' dropped back to give us the 
first chance, and we steamed ahead, expecting the battle to 
begin, every moment. All our hopes, however, were dis- 
appointed : our peaceful voyage was not interrupted, and 
we steamed past Fort Washington and Alexandria, where 
the secession flags have all disappeared, and made fast to 
the Arsenal wharf, after colliding with another propeller, 
which carried away the starboard fore shrouds. 

The next day we commenced to unload, and as we were 
of no use we went into the city. . 

1st to the Capitol, where we found the Salem Zouaves 
quartered in the rear of the left wing behind the House of 
Representatives. The House was full of soldiers, writing 
letters. Lang Ward was at one desk, John Hodges at an- 
other, and by invitation of the Salem Zouaves we stopped 
to dinner and had a jolly time. 

The dining room is very high studded, being the area on 
the side of the Capitol steps. Our dinner consisted of 
minced fish, bread, crackers, and cofifee, and though not very 
luxurious fare we had a pleasant time, and a jollier crowd 
was never seen. We spent about the pleasantest time we 
have had since we left. We returned, according to orders, 
about six o'clock, just in time to see the 'Cambridge' 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 45 

steaming up the river and passing through the bridge. In- 
quiring I found she had gone up to G street, so chartering 
an omnibus we started, and arrived on board at 8 o'clock; 
luckily finding the steamer, as we should have been locked 
up if found out after 9.30. This regulation is quite strict, a 
man was shot last night for not answering the post. It 
was about 2 o'clock in my watch, only a quarter of a mile 
off. I saw the flash and heard the report. 

This morning I was up at the Capitol, then went down 
to the National Hotel to get a bath and some dinner. 
Washington is quite warlike, regiments parading, all round, 
and almost every other house being used as barracks. 
Colonel Ellsworth's regiment is very ubiquitous, and you 
see them everywhere. They keep guard at the Capitol, 
where, however, our uniforms pass us everywhere, and last 
night they turned out to put out a fire at Willard's. They 
entirely took the shine off the Washington firemen. This 
morning they were pulling down the wall as we passed. 
The 5th Mass. Regiment is quartered at the Treasury 
Department. 

We are lying at the foot of G street, discharging and 
repairing. We shall probably sail in 4 or 5 days, though 
there is some talk of selling the ship to the Government and 
discharging the crew. I don't think however, this amounts 
to anything." 

Fort Washington mentioned in this letter was on the 
Potomac River six miles below Alexandria. It was a mere 
water battery, intended for offensive action against the 
river side. 

This trip on the "Cambridge" lasted ten days, and 
Phillips went back to the study of law which he continued 
in Boston in the office of his brother Hon. Stephen H. 
Phillips. From there he wrote the following letter : — 

"Boston, June 10, 1861. 
I think the Government has shown great energy, and the 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

movements of the Army seem to be well planned and emi- 
nently successful. Of course such dashing exploits as the 
ride through Fairfax C. H. appear to display more energy 
than the advance of a large army, but like the charge of 
Balaklava they do not decide the event of a war. It is 
only an army of inferior strength that needs to try such 
experiments. Scott's policy, I take it, is to use to the ut- 
most the advantages he has in numbers and position, and 
never to allow the enemy a chance to fight except at a dis- 
advantage. Such appears to be the plan at Harper's Ferry. 

Our forces are advancing from every direction, in over- 
whelming numbers, and the Southerners, if they remain, 
must inevitably be surrounded and starved out, or fight 
Scott on his own ground. 

So with Richmond, a strong column will soon move 
down from the North on this city, while Butler will co- 
operate on the South. If the rebels, therefore, take posi- 
tion on either side of the city for its defense, they will be 
answered by the advance of the column on the other side. 
They will thus be unable to check the march of either col- 
umn at a distance from the city, and must take up a position 
near Richmond and fight it out. This, I have no doubt, is 
the way in which the first battle will be fought, and Scott 
is not the cautious general we think him, if he loses it. Of 
the success of this plan I have no doubt, but its success 
depends much on careful preparation, which may account 
for the apparent sluggishness of the movements. But still, 
the advance goes on : day after day we hear of military 
movements, small in themselves, but in a week amounting 
to a great deal. Now it is the attack of a company on Fair- 
fax Court Flouse, to be followed by a regiment in a day or 
two : now a regiment attacks Philippi and in three days 
10,000 men occupy the town : or General Butler occupies 
the point of Newport News, and in a week we find 5000 
men advanced 10 or 15 miles into the country. So the 
movement goes on. The first attack attracts people's atten- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 47 

tion, but few pay any attention to the advance of the troops 
afterwards. For the last week I have kept an account of 
military movements, and I have on mv list 69 regiments of 
volunteers now in active duty in Virginia and Maryland, 
besides several batteries of field artillery, battalions of rifles 
&c., and my list is by no means complete, for there must be 
20 or 30 regiments, at least, in these states, of which I have 
no account. 

This does not include the troops at Cairo, encamped in 
Ohio, at Chambersburg, in Massachusetts, Staten Island &c 
&c., which would more than double the number. This cer-. 
tainly does not look like a lack of energy. 

In addition to the plan I have sketched out, the approach 
of cool weather will probably witness an attack upon 
Charleston and New Orleans : the navy yards at Norfolk 
and Pensacola will be repossessed, and a fleet and army 
will move from Cairo down the Mississippi. Thus threat- 
ened on every side I do not see what the rebels can do but 
surrender. 

In the meantime I am getting a little anxious about our 
foreign relations : the attitude of England is anything but 
friendly. Spain seems to have taken advantage of our 
dissensions to seize St. Domingo, and the rejection of Bur- 
lingame is a gratuitous insult on the part of Austria. I 
should not be surprised if a general war broke out within 
a year, with England, Spain, and Austria, — and perhaps 
Prussia, — on one side, and France, Russia, and the United 
States on the other. Better this than that we should de- 
scend so low as to bid against our rebel subjects for the 
favor of foreign nations. 

I am studying law in Stephen's Boston office, and shall 
not, probably, return to New York." 

Now approaches the ist of August when the papers re- 
lating to the Rhride Island boundary were to be returned 
into court, and Charles A. Phillips was employed by his 
elder brother as special messenger. The commissioner says 



48 HISTORY OF THE 

in his article in the Sun, referring to this mission, "He got 
through without difficulty. Upon completing his business 
a clerk in the office from a window in the west front of the 
capitol showed him rebel flags at Hall's Hill. The enemy 
never got nearer than Hall's Hill." 

In a note dated Washington Aug. i, 1861, written to his 
brother young Phillips says : — 

"Immediately after my arrival I went ]ip to the capitol. 
... I was in the Senate this morning, and left while 
Breckenridge was making a speech against confiscating 
property in the seceded states." 



The utterances of the Southern press were read with 
great interest at the North. Said the Richmond Whig, as 
quoted in the Boston Journal of Aug. 23, 1861 : — 

"They are alarmed for Washington, but they have not yet begun to 
tremble for New York' and Boston. As England and France knew 
that there could be no stable peace with the treacherous, knavish, cow- 
ardly and cruel Chinese, short of Pekin, so we know that there can 
be no lasting peace with the Chinese counterparts on this continent 
until Confederate cannon overawe New York, and Confederate legions 
bivouac on Boston Common. Bo^on is the Pekin of the Western 
China : and 'On to Pekin' is the watchword of Southern armies. 
Washington is a mere circumstance." 



CHAPTER III. 
THE COMPOSITION OF THE BATTERY. 

"Whether in camp, on the march, or on the field of battle, there 
was a strength, an evident power in the artillery service that left an 
impression on the mind of the spectator not liable to be effaced, and 
no scenes in war are more terribly suggestive than an array of bat- 
teries in position, ready to open fire at the word of command." 

Edwin Forbes. 

The artillery has been esteemed a valuable arm of the 
service, on account of its capability of inflicting so much 
more loss than it receives, and the many changes in the 
composition of the light batteries, which followed the for- 
tunes of the Army of the Potomac, as well as in their or- 
ganization, prove their adaptability to the requirements of 
the variable demands, and that the general disposition of 
them, as reduced or enlarged in their capacity, occupied a 
large share of the attention of the authorities whose delib- 
erations determined these changes, in the state legislatures, 
in Congress, and at General Head Quarters. 

Her batteries of light artillery were sent out from the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts as independent batteries, 
known by numbers from the "First" to the "Sixteenth." 
This suited the requirements at the time, for at first single 
batteries were attached directly to infantry Brigades, — one 
battery to each Brigade, — and they "camped and marched, 
and fought together." Some batteries in other states were 
independent, and some were formed into regiments, like 
the Regular artillery of 12 batteries each, designated by let- 
ters from A to L, but these were, like the rest, passed 
around from one Division or Corps to another, even after 

49 



50 HISTORY OF THE 

the artillery was grouped into Brigades, and in that way 
attached to a Division or Corps, forming a part of it and 
under the orders of its commander, and there was a distinct 
organization called the "Artillery Brigade," and the "Artil- 
lery Corps," with a chief who had his staff as in infantry 
or cavalry. 

The only reason for preference seemed to be that in the 
regimental organization, although assigned like the rest to 
temporary service, there was chance for promotion for the 
officers, while as independent batteries there was no such 
chance. 

In respect to Massachusetts it will be shown that not- 
withstanding all the influence that could be brought to bear 
upon the War Department to effect the change, her bat- 
teries came back as they went out, designated by numbers 
and independent of each other, and had no right to be 
classed in any sense as a regiment and designated by let- 
ters, yet in the spring of 1863, when it was thought expe- 
dient to consolidate the artillery, General Orders No. 86 
compelled the Fifth Mass. Battery, although not a part of 
any regiment, to accept the regimental company or battery 
designation of a letter "E." 

CONSOLIDATION OF ARTILLERY. 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office 
General Orders Washington April 2, 1863. 

No. 86. 

I. Under the authority contained in Sections 19 and 20 of the act 
"for enrolling and calling out the national forces, and for other pur- 
poses," approved March 3, 1863, it is ordered that for each and every 
regiment of the volunteer army nozv reduced, or that may be reduced 
hereafter, as set forth in said sections, consolidation shall be made in 
accordance with the following rules : 

ARTILLERY. 

3. Each regiment will be consolidated into six, or a less number of 
batteries, an 1 the colonel, two majors, and one assistant surgeon, mus- 
tered out. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 51 

4. The companies and batteries formed by consolidation will be 
of the maximum strength, and will be organized as now directed by 
law and regulation. The first letters of the alphabet will be used to 
designate the companies. (See p. 22. The "E" on the caps. Peacock.) 

5. The company officers — commissioned and non-commissioned — 
rendered supernumerary, with those enumerated in the foregoing, will 
be mustered out of service at the date of consolidation, all other offi- 
cers and non-commissioned officers will be retained. 

6. The officers to be retamed will be selected by the Division and 
Corns commanders, under the instructions of the Commanding Gen- 
eral of the Army or Department, from among the most efficient offi- 
cers of the respective regiments. 

ill. The following are the sections of the Act referred to, and 
under which the foregoing is ordered : 

Sec. 19. And he it furtlier enacted, That whenever a regiment of 
volunteers of the same arm. from the same state, is reduced to one- 
half the maximum number prescribed by law, the President may direct 
the consolidation of the companies of such regiment, Provided, That 
no company so formed shall exceed the maximum number prescribed 
by law. When such consolidation is made, the regimental officers 
shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in the number of 
companies. 

Sec. 20. And be it further enacted. That whenever a regiment is 
reduced below the minimum number allowed by law, no officers shall 
be appointed in such regiment, beyond those necessary for the com- 
mand of such reduced numbers. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. Town SEND, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



The legislature of Massachusetts, mindful of its respon- 
sibility hastened to put on its passage the following Act : — 

Chapter 243, Section 2, of an Act in Addition to an Act 
concerning the militia. 

The Militia so organized shall consist of at least one regiment of 
cavalry to consist of twelve troops or companies : one regiment of 
artillery of not more than twelve batteries, and eight regiments of 
infantry of ten companies each, which shall be officered in the manner 
prescribed by the laws of the United States and of this State concern- 
ing the Militia. 

Approved April 29, 1863. 



52 HISTORY OF THE 



NOTES OF CAPTAIN NATHAN APPLETON. 

"That I gave some time and thought to the improvement 
of the Light Artillery service of our Army during the long 
months of comparative idleness of w^inter quarters, 1863 
and '64, can be judged by the letters I v^rote to the Secre- 
tary of War, Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Hon. Alexander H. 
Rice M. C. from Massachusetts, and a long article to the 
'Army and Navy Journal' which I do not think was pub- 
lished : — 

TO SECRETARY STANTON. 

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton. 
Sir. 

Ever since the Rebellion has existed, 
the Light Artillery of Massachusetts has been organized 
as so many independent batteries, each commanded by a 
captain. 

The Governor and Senators of Massachusetts, I am in- 
formed, and some of the Artillery officers of the state, have 
interested themselves in the plan of haviiTg the batteries 
united in a regiment, with the appointment of field officers. 
I consider that it personally concerns all those connected 
with the Mass. Light Artillery, and I lately received a com- 
munication from one of Governor Andrew's staff on the 
subject, who said that a request from General Sykes, — 
Captain Martin 3d. Mass. Battery, is the chief of artillery 
of the Fifth Corps, — or from General Meade, to the Secre- 
tary of War, might have the desired effect. 

This, at best, places the matter in uncertainty, and is an 
embassy which it would scarcely be becoming for one so 
young as myself (20 years of age) to undertake, unless so 
ordered, and I thought that I would write to you, and ex- 
press freely my opinion on the subject. 

That Massachusetts should have Field officers of Lieht 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 53 

Artillery seems to me a right which she deserves, not 
merely in connection with other states that have regimental 
organizations, — and I believe that most of the states hav- 
ing Light Artillery enough to warrant it are so arranged, — 
but, also, in connection with her Cavalry and Infantry. 
For now there is a dead stop to promotion in Light Artil- 
lery, and some of the oldest and best tried officers of the 
state, who have served since the beginning of the war, and 
who do not wish to leave their favorite branch of the ser- 
vice, cannot get higher up the ladder than two bars. But, 
Sir, there is another consideration, — The Artillery Brigade 
of our Corps is commanded by a captain of Massachusetts. 
In the Brigade there are captains belonging to states hav- 
ing regimental organizations. In case of their promotion 
to field appointments in their regiments the Massachusetts 
captain would be ousted from his command. 

I think that the subject of Artillery in the field is one 
about which little can be known except from actual expe- 
rience. A Brigade of Infantry must generally act to- 
gether, but it is not so with Artillery, for it has to do its 
work for the whole Corps. Some guns have to be put in 
one place, some in another, some rushed to the front, some 
kept in reserve, and the caissons must be put in some shel- 
tered spot. This must be all personally attended to by the 
Chief of Artillery, and in addition, the position of every- 
thing remembered, while he is responsible for everything. 

A Brigade of Infantry is commanded by a brigadier gen- 
eral or a colonel : a Brigade of Artillery often by a captain ! 

It seems to me that a man commanding one hundred and 
fifty men, one hundred, odd, horses, six guns and six cais- 
sons, in all about fifty thousand dollars worth of United 
States property, and who has an independent command, 
should rank higher than one commanding one hundred 
men and one hundred muskets, and who is under the direct 
command of another. 

Why cannot the Artillery be reorganized, and the chiefs 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

of Artillery be commissioned by the President, and the old 
plan of calling a battery a company be dropped? 

Is not a battery of six guns as responsible a command as 
that which a riiajor of Infantry generally has? For while 
regiments are constantly thinned a battery must be kept 
full to a certain complement, or its guns are worse than 
useless. 

And, finally, is Massachusetts to be forgotten ? 

It may seem to you, sir, unbecoming for one so young as 
myself to write thus on this matter, but I think that in a 
democracy one cannot overrate the good or bad which he 
can individually perform, and I consider it the bounden 
duty of any one who has ideas wdiicl} he thinks may accom- 
plish good, to present them to those in places of authority. 
I have the honor to be most respectfully yours. 

Nathan Appleton 
2d. Lieut. 5th Mass. Battery. 

Hon. Edw^in M. Stanton. 

This very contingency mentioned in my letter to Secre- 
tary Stanton, occurred when General Grant came in person 
to the Army of the Potomac, and consolidated the corps. 

When the Third Corps was united to the Fifth, its chief 
of Artillery was Colonel Charles S. Wainwright of the 
First N. Y. Regiment of Light Artillery, and as he ranked 
Captain A. P. Martin, he naturally assumed command of 
the Artillery Brigade. I was on his staff later as I had 
been on that of Captain Martin. 

In a letter I wrote my brother W. S. Appleton from this 
camp about this date, I described Captain Martin's com- 
mand as follows : — 

'Our Brigade is commanded by Captain Martin of the 
3d. Mass. Battery, and he has as big a staff and as respon- 
sible a place as any Brigadier. It consists of the 3d. Mass. 
Lt. Walcott, 12 lb. Napoleons; 5th Mass. 3 inch; Battery D, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 55 

5th U. S. Griffin's Battery, commanded by Hazlett killed at 
Gettysburg-, now by Lieut. Rittenhouse, Parrotts 3 inch; 
Batteries F & K. 3d. U. -S. four guns 12 lb. Napoleons, 
commanded by Lieut. Barstow; Battery L, ist Ohio 12 lb. 
Napoleons, Capt. Gibbs; Battery C, ist N. Y. 4 guns, 3 
inch Ordnance, — same as 5th Mass., — Capt. Barnes.' 

I find this at the end of my letter : — 'And now I want 
you, and some other influential people in Boston, to go to 
work, with John A. Andrew to get the light batteries 
formed regimentally, with a colonel, lieutenant colonel, 3 
majors, adjutants, quartermasters &c &c. It ought to be 
done, as it stops promotion, keeps down pay, and gives the 
responsible command of a Brigade, — over 30 pieces of Ar- 
tillery, — to a captain. Moreover the other states are or- 
ganized and Massachusetts kept behind. If the matter was 
brought before the Governor in the right manner I think 
he would fix it all right. If I am in Boston this winter I 
shall try to do something about it myself. 

Another thing is, the Mass. Batteries ought to have con- 
scripts hnmcdiatdy. I have no doubt but what there are 
enough at Long Island today to fill them all. This should 
be attended to, as it is hard on the men to have to do Guard 
Duty so often.' " 



At the time this letter was sent home by Lieut. Appleton 
the Legislature of 1864, had assembled. 

Jonathan E. Field was president of the Senate, Alexander 
H. Bullock was speaker of the House of Representatives. 
John A. Andrew had been elected Governor for the fourth 
time, Joel Hayden was Lieut. -Governor. Warner and 
Oliver were Secretary and Treasurer as in 1861. The 
United States senators were the same, Sumner and Wilson, 
but there had been some changes in the members of Con- 
gress. Some of the old ones had dropped out. The new 
ones were Oakes Ames, Samuel Hooper, George S. Bout- 
well, John D. Baldwin and William B. Washburn. Edwin 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

M. Stanton attorney general in Buchanan's Cabinet was 
U. S. Secretary of War. 

LETTER FRO^I GOVERNOR ANDREW TO THE SENATORS 

AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM MASSACHUSETTS 

IN CONGRESS. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
Executive Department, 
Boston, May 5, 1864. 

To the Honorable, the Senators, and the Representatives of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Congress of the United States : 

I beg to renew my previous representations of the anomaly existing 
in the organization of the light artillery arm of the volunteer forces 
of the United States, by means of which an injustice is done to cer- 
tain states relatively to certain other states and their officers. I will 
illustrate by the example of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the 
nature of this injustice, selecting that Commonwealth for the illustra- 
tion only because I am more familiar with the facts concerning it, but 
being informed and believing that similar injustice is practised towards 
others also. 

There are in the volunteer service of the United States, at this time, 
sixteen batteries of light artillery from the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. 

The Government, having power in the premises to grant or to with- 
hold organization, denies a regimental organization for these bat- 
teries, or any portion of them, while it concedes such organization for 
the artillery batteries of the states of Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michi- 
gan, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island, certainly, and perhaps to 
some other states. 

This discrimination creates great dissatisfaction among the artillery 
troops, and with reason, for a man enlisting into an Illinois, Indiana, 
Maine, Michigan, New York, or Rhode Island battery, has a road open 
to promotion to be a colonel, while in the Massachusetts batteries, no 
regimental organization existing, a soldier can rise to no grade higher 
than captain. 

Among the sixteen batteries of Massachusetts, is one which has 
been in the field since April 19, 1861, having accompanied the column 
which opened communication between Annapolis and Washington, and 
having re-enlisted for three years at the end of the three months' term 
of enlistment. 

[This was the First Light Battery M. V. M. Major Asa 
M. Cook: Lieutenants Josiah Porter, Wm. H. McCartney, 
Caleb C. E. Mortimer and Robert L. Sawin. It proceeded 
to Washington with the Fifth Mass. Infantry, April 20, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 57 

1 86 1, by way of Annapolis, and was stationed at the Relay 
House, lo miles from Baltimore.] 

A majority of all the other Massachusetts batteries entered the 
field near the beginning of the war. They have served everywhere 
with honor: their officers have been tested and sifted by this long 
experience, and they deserve, by military accomplishment and merito- 
rious service, equal opportunity for promotion with the officers of any 
other state. 

I have frequently, but in vain, by letter and by officers of my staff 
specially deputed for the purpose, asked for them from the Secretary 
of War such equal opportunity, which would be afforded by authoriz- 
ing the appointment of field officers of light artillery for the Massa- 
chusetts batteries in the same manner as for the batteries of Illinois, 
Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island. 

The reasons which are assigned, in reply, by the Secretary of War, 
for thus withholding from one state what he grants to others, are : — 

1. The averment that he accepted the batteries from those other 
states as components of regimental organizations, while he accepted 
the batteries from Massachusetts as independent and unattached. 

2. That he regards the appointment of any field-officers of artil- 
lery as useless, and 

3. That by Section i. of General Order No. 126 of War Depart- 
ment's series of 1862, he intended to restrict such appointments by 
denying special authorities for muster, and thereby ultimately to do 
away with them altogether. 

But I would respectfully represent : — 

1. That the volunteer batteries of all the states named, whether 
accepted originally as components of regimental organizations or not, 
have all been serving in like manner. 

2. That the weight of military practice sanctions the employment 
of field-ofificers of artillery, and 

3. That since the date of General Order No. 126, above mentioned, 
special authorities for the muster of field-officers of artillery have 
repeatedly been granted by the War Department. 

The example of all other military powers' instituting grades of 
rank among artillery officers corresponding with those among officers 
of other arms of the service, has long been approved by the legisla- 
tion of your honorable body, and the artillery arm of the regular army 
of the United States is organized accordingly into regiments. 

And in the volunteer service independent though the batteries may 
be. each constituting a unit of organization, yet, practically thev do 
serve in conjunction, and if no artillery officers have higher rank than 
captain, there will be, in such a force as ours, a great number of such 



58 HISTORY OF THE 

officers exercising more than a captain's command, and for every cap- 
tain thus employed, there will be a first lieutenant exercising a cap- 
tain's command, a second lieutenant exercising a first lieutenant's com- 
mand, and a sergeant exercising a second lieutenant's command. 

Therefore the injustice of thus restricting to the rank of captain, 
officers doing field-officers duty reaches the whole way down through 
all the grades of rank, preventing some first lieutenant from his right- 
ful promotion as captain, some second lieutenant as first lieutenant, 
some sergeant as second lieutenant, some corporal as sergeant, and 
some private as corporal. 

I fully recognize that in any great army it will be often necessary, by 
the exigencies of the service, for officers to exercise commands, tem- 
porarily, superior to their grades of rank ; but at the same time this fact 
in no manner justifies the restriction of rank as a principle, or rule, 
in the case of the light artillery officers of the volunteer service, and 
the unsoundness of the principle in its application to these officers is 
aggravated by the inequality of its administration ; it being enforced 
against Massachusetts and certain other states, while it is relaxed 
from Illinois and Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and 
Rhode Island, and also, as I am informed from unofficial sources, from 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Within the last month the captain of a Massachusetts volunteer 
battery, who has long exercised with honor, the command of a Brigade 
of Light Artillery, in a Corps of the Army of the Potomac, has beei; 
superseded, through no fault of his own, but by the addition to the 
Corps of an officer who is his senior in point of rank only, by reason 
of one state being privileged to appoint artillery field-officers, while 
like permission is refused to another state. 

It is irksome to me to be obliged to return to this subject. But I 
know not how I can otherwise discharge my duty to the officers and 
men of sixteen batteries of Massachusetts Light Artillery: many of 
them among the best the Commonwealth has contributed to the service 
during the war. I am convinced that I ought not to leave them un- 
supported by such effort as I may be able to command. I had hoped 
that the object would have been attained without my appealing to the 
Congressional Delegation from the Commonwealth in this formal man- 
ner, but now I fear that the session of Congress may end without 
its accomplishment. 

If captains of batteries were never needed for field or staflf positions 
pertaining to officers of higher rank, the mere desire to secure rank to 
our soldiers, however meritorious, would not have influenced me, but 
when I know that our officers are used and needed to command 
Brigades of Artillery, to act as chiefs of Artillery and otherwise, on 
the staffs of corps and division commanders, leaving their companies 
to be commanded by lieutenants : when I know that the laws and regu- 
lations for the Army of the United States, include the regimental or- 
ganization, with its field-officers, for regular United States batteries, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 59 

when I know that such organization and officers are not denied to 
other states, — some of them with fewer batteries in the field than we 
have — ; and when I know that by reason of this sort of discrimination, 
good and brave officers whom I have commissioned are made to suffer 
what the soldier feels to be a personal and undeserved humiliation, I 
am not at liberty to omit my efforts. 

I, therefore, earnestly and respectfully commend this subject to the 
attention of the gentlemen whose presence in Washington, whose rela- 
tion to the Executive Government, and whose personal and official in- 
sight as the Senators of the Commonwealth and the Representatives 
of the People of Massachusetts, will enable them to speak efficiently, 
and entitle them and their opinions to the highest influence and con- 
sideration. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, most respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

John A. Andrew, 
Governor o{_ the Cojiimonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Official Copy. 

A. G. Browne jr. 

Lieut. -Col. Military Secretary. 

STATE LEGISLATION. 

In the Acts and Resolves of 1864, may be found the fol- 
lowing : — 

Section 17, Chapter 238. Concerning the Militia. 

The volunteer companies shall be formed "into separate regiments, 
or attached to such regiments of the active militia as the commander- 
in-chief shall deem proper, and he may retain any existing regiments of 
the volunteer militia. 

Section 19. Companies of cavalry, artillery and engineers may re- 
main unattached to any regiment or brigade, if the good of the service 
in the opinion of the commander-in-chief, shall require it, and the two 
corps of cadets, or either of them, may be attached to divisions at the 
pleasure of the commander-in-chief. In such case, such companies or 
corps, shall be subject to the immediate orders of the commanders of 
such divisions or brigades as the commander-in-chief shall designate: 
who shall receive the reports, returns and orders, have the authority 
and discharge the duties, with regard to such companies or corps, 
which are prescribed for the commanders of regiments with regard 
to other companies. 

section 25. Artillery. To each regiment of Artillery there shall be 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, to every four com- 
panies or batteries, one adjutant, and one quartermaster, each with the 
rank of first lieutenant, but not to be extra lieutenants, one chaplain, 
one sergeant-major, one quartermaster-sergeant, one commissary-ser- 
geant, one hospital steward, and two principal musicians. 

To each battery of Light Artillery, or companj- of Heavy Artillery, 
there shall be one captain, two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, 
one first sergeant, one quartermaster-sergeant, six sergeants, twelve 
corporals, two musicians, two artificers, one wagoner, and one hundred 
and twenty-two 'privates. 

Anproved May 14, 1864. 

Thus it will be seen that no blame can attach to the state 
legislature for neglect of duty in this regard. 

Every artillery officer from the highest to the lowest 
rank was interested in this subject, and pens were busily 
employed in the endeavor to effect a change. An article 
appeared in the Army and Navy Journal of Nov. 14, 1864, 
in which the following views are attributed to General W. 
F. Barry. The theme as expressed by the author of^the 
article is "The Deficiency of Rank in the Artillery ser- 
vice" : — 

"This faulty organization can only be suitably corrected by legisla- 
tive action, and it is earnestly hoped that the attention of the proper 
authorities may be at an early day invited to it." 

The editor adds that he "regrets to say that although their 'atten- 
tion' has often since been 'invited' to it. the evil remains to this day in 
almost equal force, and the gross injustice is seen of a body of officers, 
whose services are unequalled in their value and importance, suffering 
from the false organization of their arm. This radical defect has 
already lost us some of our finest artillery officers, and if not corrected, 
it must, we fear, lose us a great many more." 

Of the result in Congress, Brevet Major Charles A. Phil- 
lips thus wrote in a letter home, dated at City Point, March 
15, 1865; Captain Robert H. Fitzhugh of New York had 
gone above him, and was lieutenant colonel in command of 
a Brigade of the Artillery Reserve, after having been a 
junior captain to him at Gettysburg: — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 61 

"Partly I think at my suggestion Senator Wilson intro- 
duced a bill to remedy the evil, and give all battery com- 
manders an equal chance of promotion, but I believe it was 
incorporated into the 'Omnibus Bill,' and was lost at the 
close of the session. However, Congress managed to raise 
our pay, which will make a difference to me of $30 per 
month." 

FROM THE REPORT OF B'V'T. MAJ. GEN. HENRY J. HUNT, 
U. S. ARMY, CHIEF OF ARTILLERY:— 

'Artillery Head Quarters. Army of the Potomac. 

Camp near Fort Albany, Va. 
June I, 1865. 
.... In my previous reports I have had occasion to call attention 
to the want of a proper proportion of field officers for the artillery, and 
this I did especially in the reports of the battles of Chancellorsville 
and Gettysburg: and as there is no bureau of artillery nor other 
centre of administration for it, I take this occasion to present the same 
subject in order that the results of our experience may not be lost. 
This is due to the reputation of the artillery in this war, as well as to 
the future interests of the service. At an early period of the war, or- 
ders were given that field artillery should be taken into service only 
by single batteries, 'in order to save field officers'; this whilst infantry 
regiments of a single battalion were allowed four with their proper 
staffs. Why this policy, so contrary to that of all modern armies, and 
so destructive to the efficiency of the most complicated of all the arms 
of the service, was adopted, I am at a loss to discern. Its effects have 
been but too clear. Not only has the service suffered from the want 
of officers absolutely necessary to its highest efficiency and economy, 
but the system has stopped promotion in the artillery, and, as a conse- 
quence, nearly every officer of promise as well as of any distinction 
has been offered that promotion in the infantry, cavalry, or the staff, 
which no amount of capacity, gallantry, or good conduct, could secure 
him in his own arm. The result is that, with a few marked exceptions, 
in which officers were willing to sacrifice their personal advancement 
and prospects to their love for their arm, the best and most distin- 
guished of the officers of the artillery accepted positions elsewhere, or 
left the service in disgust, as opportunity offered. The effect of this 
and of other errors of organization, has been but too evident : the 
artillery, although it has done much better than under the circum- 
stances could have been expected or even hoped, has not attained to 
that efficiency which was possible, and has failed to retain the pre-emi- 
nence it once held in our Army and in public estimation. This sacri- 
fice of efficiency has been made at the expense of economy. I do not 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

hesitate to say that the field artillery of this Army, although not in- 
ferior to any other in our service, has been from one-third to one-half 
less efficient than it ought to have been, whilst it has cost from one- 
third to one-half more money than there was any necessity for. This 
has been due principally to the want of proper organization, which 
has deprived it of the experienced officers required for its proper com- 
mand, management, and supervision, and is in no respect the fault of 
the artillery itself." 

General Meade wrote to Captain Martin at the expira- 
tion of the term of service of the Third Mass. Battery, as 
quoted by the historian, "In no branch of the service is 
knowledge and experience so essential to success as in the 
artillery, nor is there any branch of the service where so 
little has been done by promotion to encourage the faithful 
and efficient officer." 

Perhaps the Adjutant General of the State, William 
Schouler, who shared with the Governor the care of all the 
troops who went from Massachusetts throughout the War, 
had as clear an insight, and was as capable of impartially 
stating what treatment her light artillery deserved and what 
it received as any one. 

In his "History of Massachusetts in the Civil War" pub- 
lished in 1868, he says: — "No arm of the Massachusetts 
volunteers did greater service to the nation, or reflected 
greater honor upon Massachusetts, than the sixteen light 
batteries which went from this Commonwealth to the War. 
Many of the officers held high commands, some of them of 
the artillery of a Corps, and yet none of them could ever 
reach a higher rank than captain, and for the reason that 
the Secretary of War would not consent to have our bat- 
teries given either a battalion or a regimental organization. 
States, which did not send half as many batteries into the 
service, had these privileges allowed them, and in conse- 
quence they had their majors, lieutenant-colonels, and 
colonels of artillery, while Massachusetts had no officer of 
higher rank in this arm of the service than a captain. 

The Governor exerted his utmost power to have this 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 63 

wrong righted, but in vain. The only answer which Sec- 
retary Stanton gave, was that 'mistakes had been made in 
the beginning of the War, which he did not wish to keep 
up.' 

We will not say that the Secretary was altogether to 
blame : but the wrong done could have been righted by Con- 
gress fixing a brevet rank which would have carried com- 
mand and pay with it, and not have permitted officers of 
the skill and bravery of Martin, McCartney, Ninis, and 
others we could name, to serve in positions which properly 
belonged to brigadier generals, and to perform the duties of 
those positions with pre-eminent merit, while only holding 
in reality the commissions of captains, and allowed only the 
pay and allowances of captains. 

It is true that these gentlemen were named in official bul- 
letins in words of praise, for 'gallant and efficient service 
in the field,' and at the end of the War they were brevetted 
brigadier-generals : but something more was due the of- 
ficers and men of the light batteries of Massachusetts." 

A GLANCE AT ARTILLERY TAl^TICS. 

"The Artillery drill, although equally interesting, was not as rapid 
as that of the cavalry, because of the weight of the guns, but there was 
a grandeur in the movement of so many spirited, well-trained teams 
and heavy pieces, not seen in the other branches of the service. Target 
firing was also practiced to a high degree of excellence." 

Edwin Forbes. 

Brig. Gen, John Gibbon who compiled "The Artillerist's 
Manual," edition of 1863, declares that — "Batteries derive 
all their value from the courage and skill of the gunners, 
from their constancy and devotion on difficult marches, 
from the quickness and capacity of the officers, and espe- 
cially from the good condition and vigor of the teams, with- 
out which nothing can be undertaken." 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

From the revised system of Light Artillery Tactics sub- 
mitted January 15, 1859, by a Light Artillery Board con- 
sisting of Brevet Major Wm. H. French, Captain William 
F. Barry and Brevet Major Henry J. Hunt, having been 
approved by President James Buchanan, accepted for the 
government of the Army by the Secretary of War, and 
used by the Light Batteries during the War of the Rebel- 
lion, the following is taken : — 

"The battery of mancEuvre is composed of six fieldpieces and six 
caissons, properly manned, horsed, and equipped. It is sometimes 
reduced to four or increased to eight pieces. The tactics is adapted 
to either number, but six pieces are supposed. Each carriage is drawn 
by four or six horses, and the officers and men are as follows. — One 
captain, who commands the battery, three lieutenants, each command- 
ing a section: the section of the junior lieutenant should be in the 
centre. 

One lieutenant commanding the line of caissons. 

When half batteries are formed, they are commanded by the two 
lieutenants highest in rank. 

Six mounted sergeants, each charged with guiding and superintend- 
ing a piece. 

Twenty-four, or thirty-six drivers, being one to each pair of horses. 

Six detachments of cannoneers, each containing nine men in 
mounted batteries, and eleven in horse batteries. This number in- 
cludes two cornorals. one of whom is chief of the caisson, and the 
other the gunner, has charge of the gun and its detachment. 

Two trumpeters or buglers. 

One guidon. 

The battery is divided into three sections denominated the right, 
left, and centre sections. 

A section contains two pieces and two caissons and in each section 
the pieces are denominated right piece and left piece. 

The battery is also divided into half batteries denominated right 
half battery, and left half battery. The word piece applies to the gun 
or howitzer, either with or without its limber, and sometimes to the 
piece and caisson together. 

The front of a battery, in the order in battery, is the front of the 
line of pieces. In all other formations it is the front of the first line 
of drivers. 

The right or left of a battery is always that of the actual front, 
whether the pieces or caissons lead. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 65 

PARADE FOR REVIEW AND INSPECTION. 

The battery being in line, with the pieces in front: the first sergeant 
2 yards from the right : the bugler and guidon in one rank, 6 yards 
on his right : the quartermaster sergeant 2 yards from the left : the 
artificers in one rank, 6 yards on his left : all dressed on the lead 
drivers of the pieces : the Captain commands : 

1. Attention. 

2. Prepare for Review. 

3. Action Front. 

4. Right-Dress. 

5. Front." 



A LITTLE BIT FROM MEMORY. 

Notes of Private D. Henry Grows Oct. 28, 1900: — "A 
section consists of two guns, as there are six guns to a bat- 
tery, they are called the Right, Left, and Centre sections. 
When in camp the tents are placed the same as the men are 
at the guns, viz., odd numbers on the right and even ones 
on the left, making Nos. i, 3 & 5 on the right, and 2, 4 & 
6 on the left, so you will see that I, being in the 5th detach- 
ment I would be placed on the right half. No. 6 is rarely 
changed, because the one holding the place has to learn the 
firing table, which is placed in the cover of the limber 
chest." 

Notes of Corporal Benjamin Graham Nov. 11, 1900: — ■ 
"The pieces are all numbered from One to Six on a march 
or in a line. On a march the First piece is supposed to be 
in front or first, and in line of battle it is supposed to be on 
the right, thus: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, i, and the First piece is the 
First Detachment, the Second piece the Second Detach- 
ment, and so on." 



CHAPTER IV. 
RECRUITING THE BATTERY. 

"Come forth ! come as the torrent comes when the winter's chain is 
burst ! 
So rushes on the land's revenge, in night and silence nursed — 
The night is passed, the silence o'er — on all our hills we rise — 
We wait thee, youth ! sleep, dream no more ! the voice of battle cries." 

— The Summons, Mrs. Hemans. 

The summons of the Secretary of War, to send on all 
regiments and parts of regiments then enlisted, gave rise to 
an increased activity in the various executive departments. 
The demand made so peremptorily, called for prompt and 
speedy action. Governor Andrew issued a proclamation 
on August 20, 1 86 1, which closed with the following 
words : — 

"Citizen Soldiers of Massachusetts ! Duty, Honor, the dearest 
sentiments of Patriotic Love and Devotion call for your brave hearts 
and unconquerable arms ! 

John A. Andrew 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief." 

On the 25th advices had been received at the State De- 
partment in Washington, from all our foreign ministers, 
stating confidently that there would be no movement among 
the European governments to recognize the rebels so long 
as the federal government kept forces in the rebel states and 
held Washington. 

The President not only directed that fortifications should 
be erected to protect Washington, but he desired that they 
should form a base of operations against the rebels. These 

6G 




PMcihu [ 



AN\tr< .tMCCo 



3^AAAAy. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 67 

works were divided into three sections, — western, middle, 
and eastern. 

Army Head Quarters were at Arlington House on Ar- 
lington Heights, a ridge of land running parallel with the 
Potomac River from Alexandria to a point opposite 
Georgetown a distance of nine miles. South of these 
heights was Four Mile Run, a small creek, and upon them 
a series of earthworks were erected by which a few thou- 
sand men could hold a large army in check. The Potomac 
Canal crossed the river on a high stone bridge. The bridge 
was guarded by a breastwork, and two bomb proof block 
houses of large logs two stories high were erected and 
pierced on all sides for musketry. Opposite on the Vir- 
ginia shore the land rises about 150 feet to a plateau on 
which stood Fort Corcoran. About a mile from Arlington 
Heights towards Alexandria, were the middle works, 
erected at the crossing of the road from Alexandria to 
Georgetown and that from the Long Bridge to Fairfax 
Court House. They commanded a deep ravine towards 
Arlington, a wide plain towards Fairfax, and a broad val- 
ley toward Alexandria. A dense forest was cut down in 
order to permit an unobstructed view. 

The eastern defences were back of Alexandria on Shu- 
ter's Hill and were known as Fort Ellsworth. The level- 
ling of a forest of fifteen acres which sheltered Alexandria 
by three thousand men in a short time, is thus described in 
the Philadelphia Ledger in August, 1861 : — "The axmen 
cut the trees only on one side, leaving them with just 
enough of the body to keep them upright. When the ut- 
most verge was reached the largest trees were cut, and 
falling, swept the entire fifteen acres with one stroke. 
These laps are all sharpened and present a formidable ap- 
pearance." 

General George B. McClellan, at the immature age of 
thirtv-two suddenly summoned from Western Virginia to 
take command of the Armv of the Potomac, was already 



68 HISTORY OF THE 

from personal observation qualified to express an opinion 
on the methods to be adopted in carrying out the Presi- 
dent's plans. He criticised the conduct of the allied gen- 
erals of the Crimean war in the following terms : — "Their 
measures were half way measures, slow and blundering, 
they failed to keep constantly in view the object of the ex- 
pedition, and to press rapidly and unceasingly toward it. 

If a deficiency in men and means is assigned as a 

reason for the early operations of the allies, it is but another 
proof that, in undertaking the affair, they neglected one of 
the clearest rules of war; that is, to undertake no impor- 
tant operation without full and reliable information as to 
the obstacles to be overcome, and the means of resistance in 
the hands of the enemy." 

He immediately introduced the strictest discipline, of 
which there had been a lack. It had been said that the bat- 
tle of Bull Run exhibited the efficiency of artillery, and the 
comparative weakness of the infantry arm of the service. 
McClellan declared that this should be a war waged with 
artillery, and at once called for a large increase of artillery 
and cavalry, and after the review on the South side of the 
Potomac it was telegraphed August 25, 1861, all over the 
country : — "Gen. McClellan declares perfect satisfaction 
with his army, and his army, the greatest ever seen on this 
continent, is equally satisfied with him." 

From this moment a sentiment of sacred honor attached 
itself to membership in the Army of the Potomac, and Mc- 
Clellan's acknowledged preference for artillery aroused in 
Massachusetts the latent liking for that arm of the service 
which had lurked in the militia system since the first two 
years of the Revolutionary War, when the one Corps of 
Artillery in the service of the Continent, under the imme- 
diate command of General George Washington, was com- 
posed chiefly of Massachusetts men. 

September 5th, 1861, the mayor of New Bedford, Hon. 
Isaac C. Taber, was authorized to organize one or more 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 69 

companies "for the national army", the bounty to each 
member not to exceed fifteen dollars, and the next day the 
Taunton Gazette thus appealed to the people: — 

"Shall we have an artillery company?" "We say yes:" replies the 
New Bedford Mercury, "and suggest that the company already in exist- 
ence here under command of John B. Hyde, as the nucleus of such 
an organization. Captain Hyde, we doubt not, would enter into such 
a scheme with zeal, and of his efficiency there can be no question." 

John B. Hyde was born in New Bedford, August 14, 
1830, and was educated in the public schools of that city. 
At the age of 18, he joined the New Bedford Volunteer 
Fire Department, and was Foreman of Columbian Engine 
No. 5, from 1854, to 1861. 

In 1855, he became a member of the New Bedford City 
Guards, and served out the enlistment term of live years, 
during which time the Guards were commanded by Major 
George A. Bourne and Colonel Timothy Ingraham, both 
superior military men. In 1857 and '58, he was elected a 
member of the Common Council. At that time the Hon. 
George H. Dunbar was mayor of the city. 

When the war broke out and the Home Guard was 
formed, he was requested by Mayor Taber to take charge 
of two brass pieces belonging to the city, and organize a 
company to man them : and from the spring of 1861, to the 
time of his recruiting of the Fifth Mass. Battery, he was in 
command of that branch of the home guard for the pro- 
tection of the city in case of an invasion. This no doubt 
inspired the effort which resulted in the larger organiza- 
tion, whose destination was the seat of war. 

The New Bedford City Guards, composed of so many 
of her citizens who were inclined to serve their country in 
the hour of danger, enlisted on the call for three months 
men, and with Timothy Ingraham as captain, went out as 
Company L of the Third Mass. Regt. Infantry. Colonel 
David W. Wardrop commanding. On their return July 
2^, 1 86 1, with full ranks, their arrival was greeted by a 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

salvo of artillery fired upon the Common, and they were 
escorted to the City Hall by four companies of the Home 
and Coast Guard where they were addressed about 5 p. m. 
by the mayor and Ex-Governor John H. Clifford. 

It is recorded in the columns of the daily press that the 
Flying Artillery at the Common performed sundry evolu- 
tions, previous to the arrival of the City Guards, which 
evinced a commendable knowledge of their peculiar duty, 
and great dexterity in discharging, unlimbering, and lim- 
bering their pieces. 

The New Bedford Mercury of July 25th says of this ar- 
tillery company : 

"They are entitled to great credit for the proficiency they have 
made in artillery practice, and particularly as they have not had the 
benefit of any instruction, but have studied the science without any aid 
from a master. We regard it as quite extraordinary that Captain Hyde 
and his command have acquired such skill in all the details of duty 
from the mere reading of the manual." 

Captain Timothy Ingraham was afterwards Lieutenant 
Colonel of the Mass. i8th Regt. Infantry, and Colonel of 
the 38th. He was provost marshal in Washington when 
President Lincoln was assassinated. 

The Morning Mercury announced on this 6th Septem- 
ber, 1 86 1 : — 

"The sabres loaned to the city for the Home and Coast Guard Light 
Artillery, have been recalled by the Governor. Captain Hyde will 
take them to Boston today." 

Thus the scene was changed to the city of Boston. 
Three days after, there was issued the following document 
bearing the state seal : — 

GENERAL RECRUITING OFFICE FOR MASS. VOLUNTEERS. 

Head Quarters First Brigade 
First Div. M. V. M. 
No. 14 Pitts Street. 
Boston, Sept. 9, 1861. 

This certifies that I have this day appointed G. D. Allen Deputy 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 71 

Recruiting Officer for Gen. Wilson's Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
teers in the towns of Maiden, Medford and Melrose. 

All Recruiting Officers appointed by this Department are hereby 
directed to co-operate with each other, By order of 

W. W. Bullock 
General Recruiting Officer Mass. Vols. 



The Fifth Mass. Battery was in camp with the 22d and 
the 23d, but both infantry regiments preceded it to the field. 
From the New Bedford Mercury. 

Sept. 13, 1861. 

The New Artillery Company : Lieut. John B. Hyde has opened a 
recruiting office at the Armory corner of Mechanics Lane and Pleasant 
street. The Company for which he is recruiting is to be attached to 
Gen Wilson's regiment (22d.), and it should be filled at once. Lieut. 
Hyde is well known in this county, and his personal popularity should 
secure his success in his present undertaking. If he fails, we shall 
despair of any man's raising a company in New Bedford." 

In another column was the advertisement: — 
LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPANY 

RECRUITS WANTED. 

For an Artillery Company now forming in the City of New Bedford 
to be attached to Gen. Wilson's Regiment. 

$100 Bounty at the end of the War. 

$15 Bonus from the City at the time of enlisting. 

$13 per month, with Clothing and Rations. 

$4 per month for a wife. 

$8 per month for a wife and one child. 

$12 per month for a wife and two children. 
Pay monthly from the State. Pay and Rations to commence imme- 
diately. 

Ihese inducements are the best now offered for young men de- 
sirous of serving their country. 

Office at the Armory of the N. B. Light Artillery Company, corner 
of Mechanics Lane and Pleasant Street. 

J. B. Hyde. 



72 HISTORY OF THE 

Boston next. -^ 

GENERAL RECRUITING OFFICE FOR xMASS. VOLUNTEERS. 

Head Quarters First Brigade 
First Div. M. V. M. 

No. 14 Pitts Street 
Boston, Sept. 16, 1861. 

This certifies That I have this day appointed G. D. Allen Deputy 
Recruiting Officer for the Fourth Battery of Light Artillery for Gen. 
Wilson's Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, in the City of Boston 
and vicinity. 

All Recruiting Officers appointed by this Department are hereby 
directed to co-operate with each other. 
By order of 

W. W. Bullock 
General Recruiting Officer 
Mass. Vols. 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN GEO. D. ALLEN 
Sept. 3. 1900. 

'T had the mustering in papers made out on the date of 
the first order I had for recruiting the Battery, this espe- 
cially saved the New Bedford men two or three weeks pay. 

General Schouler sent for me to come to his office in the 
State House, and informed me that Salem and Lawrence 
wanted to join in recruiting a battery, and he had decided 
to call their battery the Fourth, and our battery would be 
the Fifth." 

THE CALL. 

The New Bedford Standard of Sept. 23, 1861, contained 
the following notice : — 

"Lt. John B. Hyde advertises today for recruits for the artillery 
company to be attached to General Wilson's regiment. Lt. Hyde is 
well known here and has been exceedingly popular with his acquaint- 
ance's, among whom we trust his call will meet with a prompt re- 
sponse. The inducements [This refers to general inducements offered 



i 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 73 

bv the city] it will be seen are extremely liberal. His office is at the 
Armory, corner of Mechanics Lane and Pleasant street. 

The following appeared in the Boston Journal of Sep- 
tember 25, 1 86 1 : — 

"Wanted — Recruits for the Fifth Massachusetts Light Battery, to be 
attached to the Twenty-third Regiment, Col. Wi.son. 

Able-bodied young men of good standing will ^lease apply imme- 
diately to G. D. Allen, in Court street. 

The Company goes into Camp at Lynnfield immediately."' 

The regiment raised by Senator Wilson was the 22d. 
The 23d. was commanded by Colonel John Kurtz. The 
Third Mass. Battery accompanied the 22d. to the seat of 
war. 

Ill Court street was about where the Palace Theatre 
now stands, at the head of Sudbury street. Sergt. Wm. H. 
Peacock recollects the enlistment place as a vacant store. 

September 28th, 1861, George D. Allen of Maiden was 
commissioned First Lieutenant of the Fifth Massachusetts 
Battery. The same day the following Special Order was 

issued : 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Head Quarters, Boston, 
Sept. 28, 1861 
Special Order No. 484. 

Mr. George D. Allen of Maiden, who is recruiting the Fifth Battery 
of Light Artillery, to Le attached to the Twenty-third Reeiment of 
Iviassachusetts Volunteers, now in carnp at Lynnfield, is ordered to 
report with his command to Lt. Col. Kurtz, who will find him proper 
quarters. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 

Wm. Schouler 
Adj. General. 

The New Bedford Mercury of the same date had the fol- 
lowing notice : — 

NOTICE. 

"To the members of the N. B. Light Artillery Company. 

The members of this Company are notified, that they go into camp 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

at Lvnnfield, on Monday Sept. 30, 1861. They are requested to meet 
at the Artillery Armory, Mechanics Lane, on Monday morning, Sept. 
30, 1861, at 6 o'clock precisely. 

Lieut. J. B. Hyde. 
New Bedford Sept. 28, 1861. 

Lvnnfield formerly a part of Lynn, is a small town 12 
miles from Boston, and the camp was established near the 
Lynnfield Hotel, in a level field, once used for a race-track. 

When Lieut. Allen went into camp at Lynnfield he was 
presented with a horse, in color a dark chestnut, by E. R. 
Sawyer & Co. — in whose employ he was when he joined the 
army; — other wholesale coal dealers in Boston contribut- 
ing. When he found that they were not going to take the 
Battery horses from here, he was obliged to sell him, and 
buy another in Washington. 

From the New Bedford Mercury Oct. 2, 1861. 

DEPARTURE FOR THE CAMP. 

"Lieut. John B. Hyde and his command, 56 men, left by the early 
train, on the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad yesterday morning. 
They marched from their Armory to Market Square (City Hall) where 
prayer was ofifered by the Rev. Tohn Girdwood, and his Honor the 
Mayor made a few remarks, and presented to Lieut. Hyde, on behalf 
of the City, a full set of equinments. Lieut. Hyde made an appropriate 
response. As the train left, a salute was fired on the Common by a 
detachment of the Light Artillery Company of this city, under com- 
mand of Lieut. Pliny B. Sherman. A large number of citizens were at 
the depot to witness the departure of their friends and neighbors, and 
to express their hearty wishes for their success." 

Same date : 

"We learn from the 'Journal' that Lieut. Hyde and hi^ command 
dined at the Parker House in Boston yesterday. His Honor Mayor 
Taber accompanied them, and Mayor Wightman (of Boston) and our 
friend Colonel Hatch were at the dinner. The Mayor of Boston was 
introduced by the Colonel, and addressed the men in cheering words 
of welcome." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 75 



PRESENTATION OF EQUIPMENTS. 

His Honor Mayor Isaac C. Taber requested Lieut. Hyde 
to present himself with his recruits October i, 1861, at 7 
o'clock in the morning, in front of the City Hall, where he 
proposed to make an address to his command. Owing to 
sickness the Mayor was unable to be present in person but 
delegated Mr. James B. Congdon, who made the address 
and presented to Lt. Hyde his equipments, consisting of a 
sabre, belt, sash, shoulder straps, spurs, and a pair of Colt's 
revolvers. 

After these ceremonies were concluded they proceeded 
to the depot, headed by the New Bedford Brass Band, and 
took the train for the camp at Lynnfield. 

CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP. 

New Bedford, October i, 1861. 
This certifies that William H. Peacock has been regularly mustered 
and sworn into the service of the United States, as a member of 5th 
Battery, 23d Regiment, now in Lynnfield. 

Lieut. John B. Hyde. 

"Personal" in the New Bedford Mercury 

Oct. 3, 1861. 

"Lieut. T. B. Hyde of the Fifth Battery, returned to the city last 
evening. He reports that his men have all been sworn in, uniformed 
and equipped. They are all in excellent spirits, and highly pleased 
with their quarters and rations." 

The next day came the following anonuncement. 

■'Fifth Battery: Lieut. H^-de returns to Camp Schouler at Lynnfield 
this morning (October 4th) with the following recruits: — 

Robert A. Dillingham. Timothy W. Terry, Henr" D. Scott, Alpheus 
Haskins. Edward F. Smith, William Turner. Mason W. Page, Joseph 
G. Braley, George McCully, Samuel A. hardy, George H. Chadwick, 
J. Augustus Wood. Christopher C. Allen, Edward Mitchell, Philo P. 



76 HISTORY OF THE 

Braley, William Greeley, Josiah W. Gardner, John Langley, James D. 
Allen, Charles D. Barnard, Michael Flynn. George W. Smith, Thomas 
Higgins and several others whose names we could not learn. 

Timothy W. Terry, brother of our city marshal, has received the ap- 
pointment of Quartermaster's Sergeant. The recruiting office will be 
kept open a short time, and those intending to enlist should do so at 
once. Lieut. Hyde has made arrangements with the postmaster at 
Lynnfield, so that all letters addressed Fifth Battery Artillery, Camp 
Schouler, Lynnfield, will be conveyed daily to the camp by the Quar- 
termaster's Sergeant." 

ADVERTISEMENT IN THE MERCURY OCT. 5th. 
"LAST CHANCE. 

20 able-bodied men wanted Immediately. For the 
New Bedford 
Light Artillery Company 
Now encamped at Lynnfield." 

After specifying the bounty, as before, the following is 
added : — 

"Call soon, as only a few more can be accepted in this Company. 
Apply at the Armory of the New Bedford Light Artillery Com- 
pany, on Mechanics Lane, above Purchase street." 

October 8, 1861, John B. Hyde of New Bedford was 
commissioned Second Lieutenant. Robert A. Dillingham 
of New Bedford Third Lieutenant. Charles A. Phillips of 
Salem, Fourth Lieutenant of the Fifth Mass. Battery. 

On the same day the New Bedford Mercury announced 
the following additional recruits : 

"THE FIFTH BATTERY 

"Lieut. Hvde leaves for camp this morning with the following 
recruits for the Fifth Battery, completing the number of his company : 
Christopher C. Allen, ]\Iichael Hewitt, Robert King, Joseph R. Hath- 
away, Thomas Place, Richard Heyes, John F. Hathaway, Stephen 
Townsend, John H. Alton, Christopher B. Tripp, William S. Wilcox, 
Peleg W. Blake, Joseph B. Alton, James Robinson, Thomas A. Cush- 
man. Squire W. Butts, Michael Sullivan, David B. Peirce, Benjamin 
S. Kanuse, James L. Warren, William H. Caswell, John T. Drew, 
Francis P. Washburn. Lot Tynan, James H. Albro." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 77 

Oct. 8th, the 22d. Regiment left Boston for Washington. 
On the loth, according to the Mercury, the mayor and city- 
treasurer of New Bedford "proceeded to Camp Schouler, 
Lynnfield, and paid the bounty ofifered by the City to vol- 
unteers in Lieut. Hyde's company, and the Clifford Guards, 
Co. D, 23d Regiment." 

This company was recruited by Cornelius Rowland Jr. 
and went to camp about the time the artillery company was 
sent there. On the i6th Colonel Kurtz changed the camp 
of the 23d to the location vacated by the 22d. 

October 23, 1861, Max Eppendorff of New Bedford, 
was commissioned captain of the Fifth Mass. Battery. 

CAPTAIN MAX EPPENDORFF. 

The first commander of the Battery enjoyed the full con- 
fidence of His Excellency Governor Andrew, and the high 
officials with whom he came in business connection, and 
he tried to deserve this confidence to the best of his ability. 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN EPPENDORFF. 
October 26, 1900. 

''When, in the early part of the year 1849, the Royal 
Saxon Army, — I am a subject of the King of Saxony, not 
of Prussia — , was reorganized and increased, the Minister 
of War was compelled to call for Volunteers to fill the 
vacant positions of Subaltern Officers. 

With 8 other young men, who like myself, had formerly 
been students of the Polytechnic Fligh school in Dresden, 
I applied for admission in the Artillery Corps. We were 
accepted and mustered in as Ensigns. For 5 months we 
were drilled in Artillery and Infantry service, and in- 
structed by Officers of the Regiment in general duties of an 
Artillery Officer, and in special Artillery science. 

Having satisfactorily passed examination before a com- 
mittee composed of the Staff of the Regiment, we obtained 



78 HISTORY OF THE 

our appointments as Second Lieutenants of the Saxon Ar- 
tillery. 

I served my King faithfully for 6 years, when I tendered 
my resignation and obtained my honorable discharge with 
pension, which latter I am by special favor allowed to draw 
in any foreign country. 

On my first interview with Governor Andrew, I handed 
him these papers, of whose contents he took the necessary 
insight. My application for a position as a kind of in- 
structor for officers and men of Batteries of the State then 
to be organized, was finally refused by the Secretary of 
War in Washington." 

THE ORIGINAL ENLISTMENT ROLLS IN NEW 

BEDFORD. 

Signed by The Recruits. 

Enlisted at New Bedford from September 23d. to Oct. 
8th, 1 86 1, by Lt. John B. Hyde. 

Robert A. Dillingham New Bedford, Mass. 

Henry D. Scott New Bedford, Mass. 

Timothy W. Terry New Bedford, Mass. 

Charles H. Morgridge New Bedford, Mass. 

George Shaw New Bedford, Mass. 

Anson E. Ferris New Bedford, Mass. 

John Pilling New Bedford, Mass. 

Luther Petty New Bedford, Mass. 

Thomas Burke New Bedford, Mass. 

Jacob A. Gilbert New Bedford, Mass. 

Francis Oldis New Bedford, Mass. 

Michael Flynn New Bedford, Mass. 

George W. Smith New Bedford, Mass. 

Samuel R. Jordan Mattapoisett, Mass. 

Henry W. Soule New Bedford, Mass. 

John C. Hart New Bedford, Mass. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. Y9 

Patrick Walsh New Bedford, Mass. 

James A. Tripp New Bedford, Mass. 

John G. Sanford New Bedford, Mass. 

Robert Miller New Bedford, Mass. 

Michael Dugan New Bedford, Mass. 

Alexander Moore New Bedford, Mass. 

Henry D. Crapo New Bedford, Mass. 

Andrew W. Almy Fairhaven, Mass. 

Francis Carson New Bedford, Mass. 

John Agen New Bedford, Mass. 

Benjamin T. Burt Fall River, Mass. 

James Winters, Bugler New Bedford, Mass. 

William W. Carsley New Bedford, Mass. 

Albion K. P. Hayden New Bedford, Mass. 

George S. Manchester New Bedford, Mass. 

Jacob Peacock New Bedford, Mass. 

Charles C. Weeden New Bedford, Mass. 

Joseph W. Clarke New Bedford, Mass. 

Thomas Higgins New Bedford, Mass. 

James Neild New Bedford^ Mass. 

Elisha J. Gibbs New Bedford, Mass. 

Charles A. Clark New Bedford, Mass. 

James Kay New Bedford, Mass. 

Benjamin Graham New Bedford, Mass. 

Benjamin F. Smith New Bedford, Mass. 

John Waddington New Bedford, Mass. 

Edwin J. Butler New Bedford, Mass. 

Thomas Carney New Bedford, Mass. 

William Binder New Bedford, Mass. 

James T. Shepard New Bedford, Mass. 

Joseph Hall New Bedford, Mass. 

John E. Dyer New Bedford, Mass. 

Edward T. Wilson 2d New Bedford, Mass. 

Edward W. West Fairhaven, Mass. 

Philip T. Quillin Fairhaven, Mass. 

William H. Dunham Fairhaven, Mass. 



80 HISTORY OF THE 

William H. Ray Fall River, Mass. 

Alpheus Haskins Marion, Mass. 

Edward F. Smith New Bedford, Mass. 

William Gunning New Bedford, Mass. 

William Saxner Blackstone, R. I. 

Mason W. Page New Bedford, Mass. 

Joseph G. Braley Freetown, Mass. 

George McCulley Freetown, Mass. 

Samuel A. Hardy New Bedford, Mass. 

George H. Chadwick New Bedford, Mass. 

J. Augustus Wood New Bedford, Mass. 

Christopher C. Allen New Bedford, Mass. 

Edward Mitchell New Bedford, Mass. 

Philo L. Braley Freetown, Mass. 

William Greely Germany. 

Josiah W. Gardner New Bedford, Mass. 

John Langley New Bedford, Mass. 

James D. Allen New Bedford, Mass. 

[afterwards captain's clerk] 

Charles D. Barnard New Bedford, Mass. 

Lemuel A. Washburn Freetown, Mass. 

Michael Hewitt New Bedford, Mass. 

Ephraim B. Nye New Bedford, Mass. 

Edward Champlin Westerly, R. I. 

James Cox New Bedford, Mass. 

Samuel Clark Smithfield, R. I. 

John M. Canty New Bedford, Mass. 

Charles Jay New Bedford, Mass. 

William Hathaway Jr New Bedford, Mass. 

James H. Paxton New Bedford, Mass. 

Frederick D. Alden Fall River, Mass. 

Charles H. Macomber Fall River, Mass. 

Benjamin West New Bedford, Mass. 

William Sweeney New Bedford, Mass. 

A. F. Milliken New Bedford, Mass. 

Patrick Doyle New Bedford, Mass. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 81 

Henry Fitzsimmons New Bedford, Mass. 

Lorenzo D. Brownell New Bedford, Mass. 

John H. Hodgins New Bedford, Mass. 

George F. Healy Rochester, Mass. 

David McVey New Bedford, Mass. 

Robert King New Bedford, Mass. 

Joseph R. Hathaway New Bedford, Masi 

Thomas Place New Bedford, Mass. 

Richard Heyes New Bedford, Mass. 

John F. Hathaway New Bedford, Mass. 

Stephen Donovan New Bedford, Mass. 

John H. Alton Freetown, Mass. 

Christopher B. Tripp Westport, Mass. 

William S. Wilcox New Bedford, Mass. 

Frederick W. Wood New Bedford, Mass. 

Peleg W. Blake New Bedford, Mass. 

Samuel Sanderson New Bedford, Mass. 

Joseph B. Alton Sandwich, Mass. 

James Robinson New Bedford, Mass. 

Thomas A. Cushman New Bedford, Mass. 

Michael Sullivan New Bedford, Mass. 

David B. Peirce New Bedford, Mass. 

Benjamin S. Kanuse New Bedford, Mass. 

Squire W. Butts New Bedford, Mass. 

James L. Warren New Bedford, Mass. 

William W. Caswell New Bedford, Mass. 

John A. Drew New Bedford, Mass. 

Francis P. Washburn New Bedford, Mass. 

Lot Tynan New Bedford, Mass. 

James H. Albro New Bedford, Mass. 

James W. Baldwin New Bedford, Mass. 

John H. Cole New Bedford, Mass. 

William H. Peacock New Bedford, Mass. 



82 HISTORY OF THE 

THE ORIGINAL COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
From Lt. Hyde's Rolls. 

Captain, Max Eppendorff, New Bedford, Mass. 

Sen. ist Lt. George D. Allen, Maiden, Mass. 

Jim. ist Lt. John B. Hyde, New Bedford, Mass. 

Sen. 2d Lt. Robert A. Dillingham, New Bedford, Mass. 

Jun. 2d Lt. Charles A. Phillips, Salem, Mass. 

ORIGINAL NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Major, George H. Johnson, Boston, Mass. 

Sergeants : — 

Frederick A. Lull, Cambridge, Mass. 

Henry D. Scott, New Bedford, Mass. 

Otis B. Smith, Boston, Mass. 

Charles H. Morgridge, New Bedford, Mass. 

William B. Pattison, Boston, Mass. 

Peleg W. Blake, New Bedford, Mass. 

William H. Peacock, New Bedford, Mass. 

Quartermaster Sergeant. 

Timothy W. Terry, New Bedford. 

Corporals. 

W. G. Warren Boston, Mass. 

A. E. Ferris New Bedford, Mass. 

H. O. Simonds Boston, Mass. 

Mason W. Page New Bedford, Mass. 

William H. Baxter Boston, Mass. 

Ephraim B. Nye New Bedford, Mass. 

The representative of the New Bedford Mercury at 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 83 

Camp Schouler thus describes an unusual scene and a novel 

recruit : — 

"We saw a dav or two since a noble looking mastiff, a most intelli- 
gent brute, and thoroughly trained, which was purchased by certain 
gentlemen in the city, and presented to the Fifth Massachusetts Bat- 
tery. He was taken to the camp by Ass't Engineer H. H. Fisher, who, 
we learn, made an appropriate presentation speech. As 'Jack's' loyalty 
was beyond all question, the usual oath was dispensed with." 

The sentinel ''J^ck" was also called "Trusty." 



October 28th, His Excellency Governor Andrew re- 
ceived the Twenty-Third Regiment and the Fifth Mass. 
Battery, at Lynniield. 

Corporal Thomas E. Chase refers to this in his Diary, 
and says there were fifteen guns fired in honor of His Ex- 
cellency, and that on that day Captain Max Eppendorfif 
took command of the Battery. 

In relation to Lieut. Phillips' fitting himself for promo- 
tion. Private Louis E. Pattison says : — 

"Chas. A. Phillips joined the company at Lynnfield as 
Junior Second Lieutenant, and immediately had Thomas 
Stantial, an artificer, make him a table on which, with the 
aid of blocks representing artillery, and a copy of the tac- 
tics, he familiarized himself with the movements of a bat- 
tery, so that later he was competent to perform his duties 
successfully." 

MEETING IN MALDEN TOWN HALL. 

Maiden, like New Bedford, had just sent out an infantry 
company, Co. K, of the Mass. 17th Regt., which was at 
Camp Andrew, Baltimore, Md., when on Monday evening 
October 28th, 1861, there was a Masonic celebration at the 
Maiden Town Hall, — a public installation of officers of 
Mount Vernon Lodge, and a presentation to the retiring 
Master of the Lodge, George D. Allen. 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

In the centre of the hall stood the altar, draped with the 
American flag, and above the platform where were seated 
the officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, hung a 
portrait of Washington festooned with red, white and blue. 

SABRE AND EQUIPMENTS. 

The installation of the officers was by the Grand Master 
of the Grand Lodge R. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, followed by 
a hymn written for the occasion by the Rev. T. J. Green- 
wood and sung by a choir of thirty voices, the closing 
verses of which were as follows : — 

O'er our country in her sorrow 

Deign to hold thy mighty shield : 
Bring to us a bright tomorrow. 

Through the struggles of the field. 
Lo ! our cherished brother leaves us, 

Dangers, for our Land, to brave: 
While the parting sadly grieves us. 

We for him thy blessing crave. 

Shield him. by thy gracious power ! 

Shield his comrades in the strife, 
And to life's remotest hour, 

Be his helper, God of Life ! 
Guide us onward, all, and ever, 

'Till thou lead a world to thee ! 
Let our trusting falter, never, 

God of Life, and Liberty. 



Then came the presentation of a splendid sabre and 
equipments to the late Master of the Lodge, George D. 
Allen, the exercises commencing with the song "Comrades 
Awake to Glory" : — 

Comrades awake to glory, 

Know ye not the foe is near. 
Hear ye not the trumpet sounding. 

See ye not the glistening spear? 

You'll awake on your graves. 

Already the torch is applied. 
And the blood of your comrades 

Is dyeing the turf at your side. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



85 



The presentation speech was made by Wm. H. Richard- 
son Jr. Esq. who said in part : — 

"The members of Mount Vernon Lodge . . . have called you here 
tonieht to seal their approbation of a step which reflects equal honor 
upon you in the taking and upon them in their prompt recognition of 
its high importance. 

A few weeks since we learned that you, in obedience to the prompt- 
mgs of an unselfish patriotism had offered your services to your country 
in her hour of darkness and trial : we learned also, that the offer had 
been accented, and that in a few brief weeks you would exchange the 
quiet walks of life, the delights of home, and the society of cherished 
friends, for the distant and stirring scenes of camp and battle field. 
Spontaneously, as it were, the members of this Institution, with whom 
you have been so long and honorably connected, suggested the idea of 
a parting testimonial, which should be alike a substantial token of our 
appreciation of your labors with us, of our regard for you as a gentle- 
man and brother, and as useful and appropriate symbols of the new 
profession in which you are about to embark. ... It is no empty com- 
pliment, no formal act of courtesy — no enforced compliance with the 
fashion of the times that seeks this method to cover a heartless cere- 
mony, but it is the warm expression of a hundred hearts that beat 
in proud sympathy with a step that evinces the noblest patriotism and 
the truest devotion to a sacred cause. . . . We do not forget that the 
name of Allen bears an historic glory, and a revolutionary memory 
that will never die, and may you emulate that sturdy patriotism and 
unflinching courage which make the name of Allen and Ticonderoga 
the watchwords of victory. . . . You are now to exchange the gavel 
for the sword, and thereby discharge the duties you owe to the laws 
under which you live ; keeping steadily in view the allegiance due to 
your country. 

These spurs, too, are emblems of honor, suggestive of that open eyed 
vigilance which is ever ready for the word of command, come when it 
may : requiring, as Napoleon used to term it, a sort of 'two o'clock 
in the morning' courage, and demanding great discipline and great 
enthusiasm to guard against surprise. It is said of Suwarrow that 
even in peace he always slept fully armed, boots and all, and when he 
wished to enjoy a very comfortable nap he used to take off one spur. 
Let his ready zeal be to you a lesson in fidelity." . . . 

MR. ALLEN'S REPLY. 

Mr. Allen replied as follows: 

"Brother Senior Warden, and Brothers of Mount Ver- 
non Lodge : There are moments when even the lips of elo- 
quence are held mute by the emotions that struggle in the 



86 HISTORY OF THE 

heart. And if to such souls emotions are sometimes un- 
mastering, how much more so must they now be to me, 
who can lay no claim to eloquence or even common lan- 
guage, to speak what I feel. I cannot talk. Our country 
is in peril, and for her sake, I have ventured to say I was 
ready to fight. But even here I am reminded that profes- 
sion is more becoming him who putteth off his armor, than 
he who putteth it on. I will then strive not to abuse the 
confidence you have manifested by these splendid gifts. I 
will endeavor to use them manfully in protection of our 
country and her laws, and for them so appropriate in the 
position in which I stand, as well as expressing the confi- 
dence of the Lodge over which I have had the happiness 
and honor to preside, as well as for the eloquent and appro- 
priate manner in which they have been conveyed, my whole 
soul centres in an expression of grateful thanks." 

In closing Mr. Allen invited the Rev. T. J. Greenwood 
to speak for him, which he did, portraying Mr. Allen's 
willingness to sacrifice his life for his country "which all 
true Masons are bound to love, and cherish, and defend," 
and as a personal gift presented him with a bible "The 
Word of God" — "The Great Light of Freemasonry, which 
we are all taught to heed." District Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter J. K. Hall presented Mr. Allen with the Diploma of a 
Past Master, in acknowledgment of the faithful perform- 
ance of the duties intrusted to him, with a poetical allusion 
to Washington for whom Mount Vernon Lodge was 
named, and to the sabre and bible : — 

"And may its hilt be blessed by faith in God 
While you seek succor from his holy word : 

So shall you honor that masonic name 

Which he, our brother, cherished more than fame." 

Reference was also made by the speaker, to those shin- 
ing lights in Freemasonry the patriots Warren and La- 
fayette. 



Doherty, Bernard Readville, 

Dickerman, Joseph C Readville 

Lull, Frederick A Boston 

Spear, Joseph E Boston 

Smith, Otis B Boston 

Simonds, Harrison O Boston 

Peacock, William H Boston 

Morrison, John W Boston 

Pattison, William B Boston 

Newhall, William B Boston 

Stiles, Charles F Boston 

Newton, Geo. L Boston 

Proctor, George O Boston 

Tucker, John C Boston 

Johnson, George H Boston 

Burkis, James M Boston 

Brown, Warren W Boston 

Blanchard, Amos Boston 

Brown, Edward A Readville 

Baxter, William H Boston 

Barry, William Boston 

Cox, Henry A Readville 

Estee, William E Boston 

Freeborn, Geo. H Boston 

Grows, David H Boston 

Gale, Mortier Boston 

Knox, Joseph L Boston 

Leach, Geo. H Boston 



88 * HISTORY OF THE 

Lapham, Frederick A., Jr Boston, Mass. 

Mack, John F Boston, Mass. 

Murray, John Boston, Mass. 

Phippen, Edward A., Jr. . .' Boston, Mass. 

Poole, Geo. W Boston, Mass. 

Pattison, Louis E Boston, Mass. 

Rice, Edward E Boston, Mass. 

Stantial, Thomas B Boston, Mass. 

Story, Benjamin F Boston, Mass. 

Shaw, Horatio E Boston, Mass. 

Waugh, Wilham A Boston, Mass. 

Whitcher, Joseph Boston, Mass. 

Gustine, Edward F Boston, Mass. 

Parsons, Henry C Boston, Mass. 

Platts, Edward M Boston, Mass. 

Warren, Wihiam G Boston, Mass. 

Lapham, Wilham H. H Readville, Mass. 

Morrison, Joseph J Boston, Mass. 

Prescott, Francis A Readville, Mass. 

Cook, John G., Jr Boston, Mass. 

Skinner, Charles E Boston, Mass. 

Simonds, Warren Readville, Mass. 



New Bedford Mercury October 29, 1861 : — 

"The company will today be provided with two 12 pound howitzers, 
two 6 pound smooth bore, and two rifled cannon. 

There are twenty tents, including officers' quarters, those of the 
privates accommodating twelve men each. Since the Battery has been 
encamped, a park has been neatly laid out, and a Liberty pole erected 
in the centre. The company rations are satisfactory, and the Quarter- 
master is spoken of in the highest terms." 

McCLELLAN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 

On the 31st of October, 1861, General Winfield Scott re- 
tired, and General George B. McClellan was made Com- 
mander-in-Chief of all the Armies of the United States. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 89 



THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Head Quarters, Boston, 
General Order No. 28. Nov. 5. 1861. 

The soldiers who illustrate the fame of Massachusetts, and defend 
her cause with that of our Union and our National Flag, in military 
service remote from the homes where they have been wont to celebrate 
with their families the venerable and joyful New England Festival of 
Thanksgiving to God for the fruits of the season, and the bounty of 
His Providence, ought to be remembered and associated so far as may 
be in the celebration now at hand. 

.t is therefore ordered by the Commander-in-Chief that the Adjutant 
General cause copies of the Governor's recent Proclamation for a dav 
of Public Thanksgiving and Praise to be sent to the colonels and chap- 
lains of all the Massachusetts Regiments of Volunteers with the as- 
surance of the grateful and sympathetic remembrance of them by the 
Government and people of Massachusetts, of their thankfulness for the 
many satisfactions and blessings with which even in war we are con- 
stantly attended, and of our fervent prayers for the welfare of our 
gallant and patriotic soldiers, and our undoubting faith in their fidelity 
and honor; and finally, with the exnression of the hope that militarv 
duties mav not be inconsistent with their observation in some fitting 
manner of the day annually set apart for the renewal and enlivening of 
the domestic affections, and for remembering the Giver of all mercies 
by the united consent of the people of our beloved Commonwealth. 

Commanders of Regiments and Batteries of the Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers, will promulgate this Order in their respective commands. 

By order of His Excellency 

John A. Andrew, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 

WnxiAM Schouler, 

Adjutant General. 

It was said that since the memory of the oldest inha1)itant 
the country had not teemed with such abundant crops as 
the season of 186 1. 

NOTE OF SERGEANT PEACOCK. 

"Camp Schouler. 

Lynnfield Nov. 9, '61. 

We move our camp to Camp Brigham, Readville, next 



90 HISTORY OF THE 

Wednesday, where there are stables for horses. Here we 
have none. We expect to remain there 6 weeks, certain. 
There has been any quantity of rain and wet weather, but 
we have very comfortable tents, so we keep dry and warm. 
There are three of us in a tent — the Sergt. Major, the Q. 
M. Sergeant, and myself, so we have plenty of room." 

It was said that this removal was in order to concentrate 
the forces remaining in the state, to the end that they 
might be more economically supported. 

Nov. nth the 22d Regt. Colonel Kurtz, left for the 
seat of war and Corporal Chase noted in his Diary: "5th 
Detachment of 5th Battery fired a salute of 6 guns on their 
departure." 

FIRST MARCHING ORDERS. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Head Quarters, Boston. 
Special Order No. 568. Nov. 13, 1861. 

Captain Max Eppendorfif commanding Fifth Battery of the Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers now in camp at Lynnfield, will proceed with his 
command tomorrow to Readville and encamp there, under direction 
of the Quartermaster General. 
By command of His Excellency 

John A. Andrew, 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 
William Brown, 
Ass't. Adj. General. 

The Battery marched from Lynnfield to Readville, a 
village then forming a part of Dedham, now of Hyde Park, 
about 8 miles from Boston, on the Providence railroad. 
Here there were two camps, "Massasoit" and "Brigham." 
The Battery moved Nov. 14th and camped at Camp Massa- 
soit. Nov, 1 8th, 1 86 1, the following order was issued: — 

Special Order No. 579. 

Captain Eppendorff, commanding Fifth Battery of the Massachusetts 
Volunteers, will report to and receive orders from Major Stevenson 
commanding Twenty-Fourth Regt. in camp at Readville. 
By order of the Commander-in-Chief 

Wm. Schouler 

Adj. Gen. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 91 

Nov. 22d, Lieut. Robert A. Dillingham was presented 
with a full set of artillery equipments by Mayor Taber of 
New Bedford, on behalf of the Military committee. 

"Nov. 25th. (Chase's Diary) Three inches of snow on 
the ground this morning. Very stormy day. No drill. 

Nov. 30. Fired a salute of three guns on arrival of Co. 
I, 24th Regt. from Fort Warren." 

ORGANIZATION OF DETACHMENTS. 

From Lieut. Phillips' Diary, Nov. 27, 1861. 

42 Cannoneers, 7 in each Detachment. 
36 Drivers, 6 in each Det. 

6 Artificers, i in the ist, 3d, 5th, & 6th Det. 2 in the 2d. 

6 Cooks, I in each Det. 

8 Wagoners, i in the ist, 2d, 3d and 6th Det. 2 in the 
4th and 5th. 

2 Buglers, i in the 3d Det., i in the 6th. 

2 Clerks, i in the 2d, i in the 4th Det. 
22 Spare Men, 4 in the ist, 2d, 3d & 4th Det., 3 in the 
5th & 6th. Total 124. 

LETTER FROM ALDERMAN LADD. 

New Bedford, Mass. 
Friend ]Hyde. Dec. 13, 1861. 

Mr. Cowen [Conductor on the New Bedford and Boston R. R.] 
informs me that you leave on Monday next and that you would like to 
see me tomorrow. It would afford me much pleasure to come down 
were it possible, but we have a cargo of lumber at our wharf, which is 
to be discharged and loaded on to the cars, and I must remain to attend 
to it. I have persuaded Alderman Lewis to represent me on the occa- 
sion. I send by Mr. Lewis [Alderman Lewis] two hundred dollars 
[This was in gold] donated by your friends in this city, towards pur- 
chasing a horse and equipments which "ou will please accept with their 
kind regards for your future health, happiness, and success. We all 
take a deep interest in the Fifth (Mass.) Battery and shall watch its 
course with interest and with confidence that all, both officers and 
men, will be faithful to duty, and reflect credit and honor on them- 
selves and on the city under whose auspices it was raised. 



92 HISTORY OF THE 

In relation to fares, you will please collect what you can of the 
men and hand it to Mr. Lewis, and the balance we will take care of. 
In conclusion, allow me to utter an earnest prayer that yourself 
and all connected with you, may return, when this wicked rebellion 
shall have been utterly crushed out, in health and vigor,' to your friends 
and families. 
With respect. 

Yours truly, 

Warren Ladd. 

THE HORSE. 

The horse which was bought in Washington, and was 
called "Black Charley," was coal black, with the exception 
of a white star in his forehead. 

G. O. No. io8 
Head Quarters of the Army, 
Adjutant General's Office, 
[Transfers] Washington D. C. 

Dec. i6, 1861. 
General Orders 
No. 108. 

[Extract] III. The numerous applications for transfer of soldiers 
from one regiment or company to another, would, if complied with, 
cause confusion in the records, and be injurious to the future interests 
of the soldiers themselves. Such transfers will not henceforth be made. 

By command of Major General McClellan. 

L. Thomas Adj't Gen'l. 



That this order was wise in its intention, and would 
have been for the best interests of the soldiers if it had been 
carried out, has been amply proven by the confusion of 
many of the records in respect to the membership of differ- 
ent organizations. 

The two old guns with which the Battery had been 
drilling were sent to Boston Dec. 17th. On the 20th the 
non-commissioned officers of the Fifth Battery went to 
Point Shirley in Boston Harbor to practice, and on the 
same day the Battery received orders to march. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 93 

From a letter of Lieut. Phillips to a little nephew written 
at the camp at Readville, Dec. 17, 1861 : — 

"The whole cavalry regiment rode out two or three miles 
today. There were about 700 men on horseback. Col. 
Williams and Lieut. Col. Sargent rode in front. Col. Wil- 
liams rode a dark horse and Lt. Col. Sargent rode his own 
horse. . . . One company in the regiment have all black 
horses and look very well. 

The paymaster came down the other day and paid off all 
the men. He had his money in tin plates on the table in 
front of him. One plate was full of coppers, one of five 
cent pieces, one of halves and quarters, one of gold dollars 
and another of three dollar gold pieces. Besides he had a 
little pile of treasury notes." 

ORDERED TO WASHINGTON. 

Head Quarters, 
Boston Dec. 20, 1861. 
Special Order No. 638. 

Captain Max Eppendorff commanding the Fifth Battery of the 
Massachusetts Volunteers, is hereby ordered to proceed with his com- 
mand on Tuesday next, to Washington D. C. and report for duty to 
Major Gen. McClellan U. S. A. Captain Eppendorff will apply to the 
U. S. Quarter Master in Boston, Captain McKim, (W. W. McKim 
Ass't Quartermaster U. S. A.) for transportation. 

By command of His Excellency 

John A. Andrew, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 

Wm. Schouler, 

Adjt. Gen'l. 

"Tuesday next" was Dec. 25, 1861. 

In the Adjutant General's Report for 1861, may be 
found the following relative to the equipment of the Bat- 
tery : — 

"This battery is the only one which has left the State without a full 
and complete equipment. Everything was furnished except the horses, 
which Quartermaster General Meigs U. S. A. preferred to supply at 
Washington. The company is well officered, and is composed of the 
very best material. 



94 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Max Eppendorff, New Bedford, Sen. ist Lieut. George D. 
Allen, Maiden, Jun. ist Lieut. John B. Hyde, New Bedford, Sen. 2d 
Lieut. Robert A. Dillingham, New Bedford, Jun. 2d Lieut. Charles A. 
Phillips, Salem." 



REPORT OF THE MASTER OF ORDNANCE. 
Colonel Charles Amory, Master of Ordnance, reported : 

"Dec. 26, 1861, there had been issued to the Fifth Battery 4 Bronze 
Field Guns, 6 pounders, rifled, 2 Bronze Field Howitzers, 12 pounders, 
6 Gun carriages, complete with limbers, 6 caissons, complete, with lim- 
bers, I forge wagon complete, with tools and stores per U. S. Regula- 
tions, I Battery wagon, complete, with tools and stores per U. S. Regu- 
lations. 

14 sets 6 Horse Artillery Harness, complete, 18 tarpaulins, large, 17 
sets Horse equipments, complete, 17 non-commissioned officers sabres, 
17 non-commissioned officers Sabre Belts and Plates, 44 artillery sabres, 
44 artillery Sabre Belts and Plates, 90 artillery Short Swords, 92 Waist 
Belts and Plates with Shoulder Straps and Frogs, i Guidon, silk, with 
staff and socket, i national flag, silk, with staff and socket, 4 camp 
colors with staves, 4 Sponges and Rammers for 6 pounder Guns, 4 
Bristle Sponges and Rammers for 6 pounder Guns, 4 Sponges and 
Rammers for 12 pounder Howitzers, 12 Sponge Covers, 4 Worms and 
Staves for 6 pounder Guns, 2 Worms and Staves for 12 pounder 
Howitzers, 18 Hand Spikes, 6 Prolongs, 6 Sponge Buckets, 12 Tar 
Buckets, 6 Gunners' Pincers, 18 Tow Hooks, 24 Thumb stalls, 12 Prim- 
ing Wires, 12 Lanyards and Hooks, 6 Felling Axes with handles, 6 
Shovels, long handled, 6 Pick Axes with handles, 3 Crow Bars, 2 Ham- 
mers, 2 Hatchets, 6 Tompions and straps, 6 Vent Covers, 12 Tube 
Pouches and Belts, 12 Gunners' Haversacks, 12 Screw Drivers, 6 Vent 
Punches, 6 Linstocks, 50 Slow Match — yards — , 3 Pole Yokes, spare, 4 
Cannon Sights, — pairs, — 56 Rubber Watering Buckets, 75 Feed Bags, 2 
Bugles and Trumpets, 2 Sergeants Sashes, i Picket Rope, — coil — , i 
Picket Beetle, 2 Copper Scoops, 2 Copper Dippers, 2 Copper Tunnels, 
20 Revolving Pistols with appurtenances, 2000 ball cartridges for pis- 
tols, 3000 percussion caps for pistols, 300 cartridges ij^ pounds powder 
each, 2000 Cartridge Bags, 2400 Friction Cannon Primers, 43 kegs Gun 
Powder, 300 Shot, 6 pounder Schenkle, 400 Shell 6 pounder Schenkle, 
120 shell 12 pounder for Howitzers, 184 shell, 12 pounder Canister, 
for Howitzers, 4 Field Glasses, 25 pounds Twine, 105 pounds Tow in 
bags, I Emery Cloth, — ream — , 24 Chamois Skins, 12 Sheep Skins, 32 
Linchpin Rings. 48 pairs Chest Straps." 



CHAPTER V. 

IN CAMP AT WASHINGTON, D. C, AND HALL'S 

HILL, VIRGINIA. 

HOW THEY FARED. OFFICERS AND MEN. 

"After we shall have made our last march, shall have answered 
our last roll call, then will some historian take in hand the story of the 
war, and fashion it into a goodly tale to tell our offspring what we 
did from '6i to '65 . . . and what will his story be?" 

Clarence F. Cobb. 
Orator of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, 

Niagara Falls, N. Y., 1898. 

Letter of Lieut. C. A. Phillips. 

"Camp Duncan 
Washington, Dec. 29, '61. 

Wednesday forenoon we struck our tents at Readville, 
and packed up. After standing round in the cold for two 
or three hours, we took the cars at 123^ and started for 
New York. At Groton we went on board the Common- 
wealth, the men occupying the lower cabin, while we occu- 
pied state rooms. Arriving at New York about six 
m the morning, we had some more waiting to do while 
our baggage was loading. During the course of the fore- 
noon, we sent our baggage to Jersey City; Lieut. Hyde 
taking charge of the baggage train. 

At 9 or ten o'clock I marched the men into the ferry boat 
and across, and waited in the depot for the train. About 
io we started for Philadelphia, leaving a squad of men to 
take care of our baggage, which was to follow in the next 
train. We got to Philadelphia about two, and had a little 
more waiting to do. Our baggage got mixed with that of 

95 



90 HISTORY OF THE 

the loth N. J. Regt., got delayed, and did not get along 
till midnight. By this time the N. J. Regt. had arrived, 
so that we had some fellow travellers. During all this time 
our men were kept waiting in the depot, with nothing to 
do, and a guard placed at every door. The only redeeming 
feature in Philadelphia was the dinner which we got at 
the 'Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon,' foot of Wash- 
ington street. The whole Battery marched in and sat 
down, — that is, the officers sat down and the men stood 
up, — to a very good dinner of cold corned beef, coffee, bread 
and butter, pickles, and cheese. 

About midnight we started for Baltimore and arrived 
there early the next morning: unloaded, and marched across 
the city to the neighborhood of the Camden St. depot, 
where we found an imitation of the Philadelphia arrange- 
ment, and rather a poor one at that. The breakfast was 
cold ham with considerable saltpetre, or something of the 
sort, bread, and coffee without any milk, and we had to 
vv^ait about an hour to get this. 

Ki three o'clock in the afternoon we started in a special 
train with the Jerseymen for Washington, and had a 
tedious time in finishing our journey. We stopped at every 
turnout to avoid a regular train, and succeeded in reaching 
Washington at 9 o'clock in the evening, without any acci- 
dent, except that one member of the Jersey Regt., who had 
got off the train during one of our stoppages, was left by 
the train, and in running to catch up with it, refused to stop 
at the challenge of the sentinel, and was shot through the 
head. The sentinels are posted all along the road from 
Baltimore to Washington. 

Arrived there we marched into the upper story of the 
'Soldiers Rest,' — a large, wooden building, — where we 
deposited our knapsacks. We then marched into the lower 
story, and had some supper of regular army rations, 'bread, 
meat, and coffee. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 97 

The men slept here all night, spreading their blankets on 
the floor, while the officers went up to the National. The 
next forenoon we unloaded our baggage and marched up 
here to camp." 

JOURNAL OF PRIVATE GROWS. 
Dec. 25 TO Dec. 28, 1861. 

"Wednesday morning Dec. 25, 1861. Camp Massasoit. 
Pleasant and very cold. Turned out at 5 o'clock, and 
begun to pack our things, and at 8 o'clock 'struck tents' 
and had them ready for packing in the cars. At 11 went 
and drew two days' rations, then built a large fire to keep 
warm by. At 12 got dinner. At half past i marched to the 
depot, took the cars for Groton, stopped at Providence at 
4 o'clock for wood and water, then started for Groton, 
arrived there at 8 o'clock, and went on board the Steamer 
'Commonwealth,' and started 10 o'clock for New York. 
I had the ill fortune to be put on guard over the bar room. 

. . Was relieved at 2 o'clock next morning. Turned in 
my berth No. 39, turned out at 5 o'clock in New York. 

Thursday morning Dec. 26, was detailed for guard over 
the powder on the wharf. Stood till half past 8, then 
guarded the team with the powder till it was aboard the 
ferry boat for Jersey City. Left Jersey City for Philadel- 
phia on the Camden and Amboy R. R., arrived at Camden, 
crossed the river in the cars on a ferry boat. The boat had 
three tracks with three cars and an engine. Arrived in 
Philadelphia at half past 2, and marched to the 'Volunteer 
Refreshment Saloon' and took dinner, and it was a big" 
thing, — home made bread, coffee, meats, cheese, butter &c. 
We were honored by the presence of the Ladies of the 
Society. It is a great institution. 

At half past 3 we marched to the Baltimore and Ohio 
R. R. and had to stay there till 11 that night, under strict 



98 HISTORY OF THE 

guard. I had the good fortune to get a 'pass,' so I took a 
look around the city. At ii o'clock in the evening took 
the cars for Baltimore. It is of no use to try to sleep in 
the cars; some are singing, some talking, etc. 

Friday morning Dec. 27, we marched through the street 
where the Massachusetts soldiers were fired upon. There 
are quite a number of 'secesh' here, but they have to keep 
quiet, because the city is under martial law. We marched 
to a place called the 'Soldiers Relief where a scant lunch 
of bread and coffee was given to us. At 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon we were on our way to Washington, where we 
arrived about 5 minutes past 11. That night at 12 o'clock 
midnight got some supper, then went across from the depot 
to a large, wooden building called the 'Soldiers Retreat,' 
to spend the night. 

At one o'clock Saturday morning we spread our blankets 
on the floor, and taking our knapsacks for pillows we turned 
in, and slept on the soft side of a pine board. I think I 
slept about 9 or 10 knots an hour. After breakfast got 
permission to see the Capitol building. It is a splendid 
edifice. Washington is not such a handsome city as I ex- 
pected. At ^ past I 'took knapsacks,' and took up line of 
march for our camp ground, which is at present on Penn- 
sylvania avenue, about 8 or ten minutes walk from the 
Capitol. Arrived on our ground and without any dinner, 
commenced unloading teams, and at Yz past 3, to pitch 
tents. Had them all up and the park laid out at 7 o'clock, 
then had supper of hard bread and water. 

Since leaving camp at Readville, we have passed through 
8 diflierent states: Mass., R. I., Conn., New York, New 
Jersey, Penn., Maryland, Delaware, — into the District of 
Columbia. There are a great many pickets thrown out at 
Newark, N. J. There are guards from there to Washing- 
ton on the railroad, guarding bridges" (see p. 33 )• 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 99 

TO REPORT TO MUSTERING OFFICER. 

Office of Chief of Artillery. 

Army of the Potomac 

Washington D. C. 

Dec. 28, 1861. 
Captain Max Eppendorff. 

Company E, Mass. Art'y. 

Lap tain 

Major Chas. S. Wainwright ist Regt. N. Y. Artillery, will muster 
your company on the 31st inst. 

You will see that the muster roll of your company is properly made 
out, and in season, and will have your company duly paraded at the 
hour designated by the mustering officer. 

I am, Capt. very respectfully 

Yr. Obt. Servt. 

William F. Barry, 
Brig. Gen'l Chief of Artillery. 

FROM LIEUT. PHILLIPS' 

Letter of Dec. 29, 1861. 

"By the way, I forgot to mention that yesterday, while 
we were pitching our tents we were inspected by General 
Barry, under whose command we are. The men were 
drawn up in line and inspected. He seemed to think they 
were very well, only they wanted their hair cut, and he told 
each of us that our posts were as responsible as that of 
a major of infantry, whereat we were much pleased, of 
course." 

THE FIRST SUNDAY. 

Journal oT D. H. Grows : "Dec. 29, 1861. . . . After 
service I took a walk around camp. There are 4 batteries 
encamped here besides ourselves. They are mostly 
Germans, and are attached to batteries of very heavy 
calibre, mostly 24s and 32ds. 



100 HISTORY OF THE 

This afternoon got a 'pass' to go to the city. I am 
disappointed a great deal about Washington. The soil is 
rather clayey and of a reddish color, a great many of the 
streets are not paved, and the buildings are miseraBTe look- 
ing, some of them would be a disgrace to Boston. 

Returned to camp at 4 o'clock. At 5-4 past 5 had supper 
of raw bacon and hard bread. 

Monday Dec. 30th, dug a cellar in the tent, put a box 
down to keep my tobacco and loose stuff, such as shoes &c. 
in, then went to work on the tent. Went to dinner. Hard 
bread and water. 

Tuesday Dec. 31 : At 8 o'clock formed in line and 
marched 1.V2 miles to a large building, and got a good 
breakfast of hot coffee, bread, and cold tongue. The reason 
of this was, the delay in receiving our provisions. Took 
up line of march to camp at 9, arrived there about 11. Fell 
into line for inspection of clothing and arms, were dis- 
missed, went to dinner. In the afternoon our Guns came 
on the field. Went to work fixing carriages, and helped 
clean Gun. At 4 o'clock p. m. heav}'^ firing heard across 
the River Potomac. At 3^ past 5 roll call. Received a 
large loaf of bread to each man for three meals, also some 
coffee. Made our own coffee. 

7 o'clock : Have got through supper, and the men are 
having a smoke and talking about home. 

8 o'clock p. m. : Roll call is just through and we are 
talking about the firing across the river, which is still kept 
up. Lights are seen on the opposite side of the river, also 
signal fires along the river. Great excitement in camp. 
There goes the 'tattoo' for lights out, so I must turn in." 

Chase's Diary. "Dec. 31, 1861. Received our guns: 
four rifled brass 6 pounders, and two brass twelve pound 
howitzers." (See p. 94 Ordnance Report.) 

Notes of Sergt. Henry D. Scott : "Arriving in Wash- 
ington we camped in the mud on Capitol Hill. Here we 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 101 

heard the first guns in our experience, from the Rebel 
batteries at Acquia Creek, below Mount Vernon, on the 
Potomac." 

NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1862. 

Journal of D. H. Grows: "Four o'clock a. m. (Wednes- 
day Jan'y i, 1862) was awakened by heavy firing across 
the river. We had a good breakfast of bread, meat, salt 
pork, and coffee. Some of the men have just got some milk. 
The men, most of them, are speaking of New. Years gifts 
at home. 

Tliursday, January 2 : Some of our horses for the 
baggage wagons have arrived. The}^ do not look as nice 
as our northern horses, but they are very tough. 

Friday Jan'y ■^d : Detailed on the 2d Relief for guard 
from 1 1 a. m. to i p. m. Some of the men are cleaning 
their arms, some are asleep, some are writing, and two 
are playing cards. We detail two men every morning out 
of our tent to keep the tent supplied with wood and water 
for the day, next morning two other men take their places 
and so on. By doing this we have plenty of water to drink 
and to wash with, and wood to keep us warm. 

7 o'clock p. m. : Have just come off from guard. It is 
hailing quite fast, and is verv cold, but I am warm and 
comfortable, as I am provided with good and warm cloth- 
ing. I had some hot coffee while on guard. 

Saturday Jan'y 4th : Tlie ground is just covered with 
snow, and it has frozen and it is quite slippery. 

9 a. m. : It is snowing quite hard. 

3 p. m. : About 30 more horses have just come in. We 
have now 46 horses in all. 

Sunday Jan'y 5th : Got a 'pass' from ^ past 10 till 4 in 
the afternoon, to go to the city, the Sergeant and myself. 
First we went to the Treasury Building, a very large build- 
ing of granite on Pennsyhania avenue. The celebrated 



102 HISTORY OF THE 

Washington monument is close to the building. It is about 
175 or 200 feet high at the present time. Long Bridge is 
close to the monument. This part of the city is quite hand- 
some. At every other corner on this avenue you will see 
mounted patrols, and on the sidewalks you will be stopped 
very often by the street patrol. If you have a 'pass' it is 
all right. If not you will be arrested and put to work 
white-washing or cutting wood, and you will be kept in 
prison until relieved by your Captain. Lieutenants have 
to have a 'pass' when they go out, just the same as 
privates. In the rear of the Treasury Building and bearing 
to the left, is the White House, a very handsome building. 
I had the pleasure of seeing 'Old Abe' (The President) a 
pleasant looking man. In front of the White House about 
80 rods, is the celebrated equestrian statue of General 
Jackson, in bronze, as large as life. It is a splendid thing. 
I stopped about half an hour, looking at it. The parks here 
are nothing compared to our old Boston Common. At the 
upper end of Pennsylvania avenue there is another large 
statue, of Washington, on horseback. It is not so fine as 
that of Jackson. About every other person you meet in the 
streets are soldiers, you will not see many citizens. There 
are about 200,000 troops encamped around Washington, 
and it would seem to be impossible for the rebels to attempt 
to take the city. I went to Arlington Heights where 
Follett's (Afterwards Martin's Third Mass.) Battery is 
encamped. From there I visited the camp of the i8th Mass., 
the latter killed about 60 rebels 2 days ago. The rebels 
are a lean looking set. About 800 are in prison here. The 
1 8th and other regiments and batteries expect to be home 
for good in a very short time. I hope so. The war cannot 
last much longer as the rebels are giving 1% per cent on 
gold, that is, they give v$i.25 of scrip for $1.00 in gold." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 103 

LETTER OF SERG'T. PELEG W. BLAKE. 

(The name of the Camp had been changed from 
"Duncan" to ''Sumner.") 

"Washington D. C. 

Camp Sumner. 
5TH Batt. Mass. Art'y. 

Capt. Max Eppendorff. 

January 5, 1862. 

We are encamped about a quarter of a mile from the 
Capitol east. There are 20 batteries around us, three or 
four batteries from Fort Monroe, regulars, that I was 
acquainted with when I was out there last spring. The 
city of Washington is nothing very alarming, the Capitol 
looks very well, but the White House where the President 
lives — I have seen a good many better looking houses than 
that is! I have seen the noted 'Uncle Abe,' and General 
Geo. B. McClellan. Last Monday I went down to the 
Provost Marshal's Office and got a 'pass' to go across 
the Potomac. I went through Georgetown, and then ar- 
rived at the river. I got stopped every few minutes by the 
patrols who I had to show my 'pass.' We went across the 
river on flat boats, had to pull myself across by lines ex- 
tended across the river. I had to travel three miles to the 
river. After I got there I went about five miles further and 
arrived at Hall's Hill, where the i8th (Mass.) Reg't. was. 
The country was all lined with troops, all the way along. 
I stayed an hour and then I started back. I had to go about 
17 miles. I think 1 sha'n't go again till we move over there. 
We have got a fine battery, and have drawn 50 horses, and 
are receiving horses every day." 



104 HISTORY OF THE 



FROM A LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE OF THE 

7TH IN RELATION TO SUNDAY JAN'Y 5TH 

1862 :— 

"Last Sunday six of us crossed the Potomac and visited 
the Mass. 9th, i8th, and 22d, and FoUett's Battery. I saw 
several of my old Boston friends, w^ith others James 
Vaughan Jr. with the 22d. . . They are shut in by 
guards, pickets, and patrols, on every side, and are just as 
much prisoners as though within the walls of a penitentiary. 
We of the 5th are not very aristocratic, in our way of living, 
but I think we have more privileges than the infantry have. 

The troops at Hall's Hill make their quarters in this way, 
viz., they drive slabs of wood down endwise around a 
circle, which makes a fence about three feet high, then the 
crevices are plastered up w^ith mud, so that it is quite tight. 
On top of this circular fence the tent is set just as it would 
set on the ground. By this arrangement much more room 
is gained, and instead of having a part of the tent open all 
the time, they have a small wooden door. All the furniture 
of the tent is painted as follows : — The ground zvork is a 
smoke color, then on this three different shades viz. 
dirty, more dirty, most dirty. I do not say this of one 
company or reg't. alone for camp life is about the same with 
all of us, it cannot be otherwise. . . I wish I could write 
some news to you, but all T can write until we have a 
fight, — an awkward way of saying never, — are trifling 
things that the press will not notice. You get more war 
news than we do, for a Boston paper is better for news than 
any of the one-horse concerns here. Give my thanks to 
Mrs. T. and Fred for writing to me, and for the mending 
materials, which I find indispensable, especially the yarn." 

He closes his letter with an expression which shows how 
little these very young men were inclined to engage, of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 105 

:lieir own accord, in warlike pursuits : — "If this govern- 
nent should become a monarchy and your humble servant 
:rowned IKing- of it, I should not be more surprised than 
;o have known a year and a half ago, that I was to be in 
:he Army this year of our Lord, 1862." 

Journal of D. H. Grows: "'Monday, January 6th. There 
las been quite a snow storm during the night. When I went 
-)\\t to breakfast there was about two inches of snow on the 
around. The air is quite warm. Our stove broke down in 
;he night. 

I am detailed for Guard on the 2d relief. I went on at 
r I o'clock and came off at i o'clock, then 5 to 7, then 1 1 to 
[ at night. 5 to 7 in the morning. The water w'e drink here 
nakes a person sick. 

Tuesday, January 7th. Fourteen more horses have 
:ome in this morning. I went this afternoon with the 
[Captain's clerk to tlie Senate Chamber in the Capitol. Six- 
teen more horses have conie. We have now about 70 horses. 
This forenoon I, w4th five others, went out on a foraging 
party. We went about 4 miles from camp. It was a splen- 
:lid sight to see so many camps. There are about 30 bat- 
teries around here. 

Thursday, Jan'y 9. Was awakened this morning about 
5 o'clock by hearing it rain very hard, got up and 
found about an inch of water all over the bottom of the tent. 
It had run in by the door. We dug two large hc^les in the 
ground, and took out fi^•e pails full of water. Our beds were 
wet. I got my blankets dried and got some straw, and 
spread down in the tent, and it has dried up the mud con- 
siderably. The mud is from about 3 to 5 inches deep, and 
the travelling is very hard as the soil is clayey. The bugle 
will soon sound 'l^ights out.' " 

Pri\ate Grows w,ent to Washington to send some money 
by Adams' Express ,and being detained four minutes over 
the time, four o'clock, allowed by his "pass," he was 
arrested within a short distance of the Battery guard line 



106 HISTORY OF THE 

by the provost guard, a beardless youth, and sent to the 
Louisiana Avenue jail. 

*''I was taken," he writes, "into a large room, wTiere there 
were about seventy men, some for desertion, drunkenness 
&c. I was immediately saluted with the cry of 'fresh fish, 
meaning I was a new comer. I was detained till morning, 
vvhen I was called into the office and given a 'pass' for 
twenty-four hours, also a line to my Captain not to have 
me punished, for had he been on the street he would not 
have arrested me, when I was so near my camp, and such a 
short time over my 'pass' viz. four minutes. I was a green 
and fresh soldier, and it taught me a lesson, not to look 
at the man, but to notice the uniform he wore, and to respect 
that, if I did not the man." 

Resuming the Journal. "J^i^'y lo? 1862. Word lias just 
been received in camp, of the sailing of the 'Burnside Secret 
Expedition.' If it is successful, — and we all hope it will 
be, — this war will be settled in a very short time. (See p. 
116). 

The Pensacola sailed yesterday to run the blockade 
Cof rebel batteries) on the Potomac. There is considerablf 
excitement here at present in regard to her success. 

The Roll Call was called in the tents tonight, it was :o 
muddy outside, and this pleased the men very much." 

THE BLOCKADE OF THE POTOMAC. 

Preparations for the blockade of the Lower Potomac 
were comme^^ced previous to the Battle of Bull Run, 
July 21, 1861. 

From Alexandria the Potomac runs almost directly south 
to the mouth of Acquia Creek, a distance of 30 miles; then 
it runs directly east for 15 miles where it rounds Matthias 
Point, a very prominent projection northward into the 
stream, and almost entirely separated from the main land 
by Gamble's Creek. 

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 107 

McClellan expressed his apprehension that the Potomac 
might be rendered impassible to Federal vessels, and 
recommended the strongest possible naval force to be 
stationed in that stream, but it was found that new batteries 
interfering with the navigation of the stream could be built 
as rapidly as the old ones were destroyed, and that nothing 
could effectually protect the navigation of the Potomac 
except the military occupation of its entire right bank by 
our army, and this did not form a part of the plan of opera- 
tions. 



Chase's Diary. "J^"'y ii> 1862. Fifth Detachment 
hitched up today for drill for the first time." 

Grows' Journal Jan'y 12. "Was called at i o'clock this 
morning. Stationed over the guns. Relieved at 3 o'clock 
this morning." 



't3- 



FROM SEVERAL LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 
Date "Camp Sumner 

Jan'y 12, 1862. 

We have now 86 horses, — no being our full number, — ■ 
and shall get the rest this week. I have taken the horses 
out to exercise two or three times, and so far we have got 
along without accident, though a man occasionally gets 
thrown off and we have a loose horse to chase. We take our 
meals now in our tents, using a box cover for table. We 
bought a set of crockery &c. the other day, and now live 
in great style. We have roast beef, eggs, cranberry sauce, 
bread, crackers, coffee, with milk and sugar, cake &c. 
Our principal trouble is that we have no floors to our tents, 
and only a few loose boards to stand on, but then we have 
quite a field of grass growing inside, which is quite orna- 
mental. 



108 HISTORY OF THE 

At present we have no stables, and the horses stand at 
the picket rope out of doors. . . We are hving now in 
camp style. We have a boy to look after our things, and 
we i. e. the four lieutenants, take our meals in our tent. 
The Captain takes his meals with the officers of the Dutch 
batteries. . . Our carpenter is now busy making us a 
mess chest. . . encamped . . south of East Capitol 
street and east of North Carolina Avenue." 

Grows' Journal. "J^n'y 13, 1862. It is blowing quite 
hard, and the mud is almost dried up. At 9 o'clock this 
forenoon took all our bedding, carried it out of the tent 
and left it out till noon, so the clothes would have a good 
airing. We always make it a practice every Monday when 
it is pleasant to air our bedding and examine our clothes. 

Tuesday Jan'y 14. Two inches of snow on the ground. 
9 o'clock in the evening: Have just come off guard, went 
on at 7. It is now hailing, a perfect gale. It is very hard 
for the horses to be picketed out in such weather, but it 
cannot be helped until we get the other side of the river. 
One of the men got a quart of oysters, some milk and 
crackers, and I cooked them in a stew style, and we sat 
down and eat them. I must now turn in for I will be called 
at one o'clock tomorrow morning to go on guard till 
3 o'clock. The gale has not abated any as yet, and it will 
be an awful night. 

Wednesday Jan'y 15. Got up and dressed at i o'clock 
this morning, put my rubber blanket over my overcoat, and 
went out into the storm. It is not blowing quite as hard 
as it has been, but it is hailing very bad. I am provided 
with tip-top underclothing, so I do not care much for the 
storm. Was relieved at 3 o'clock, came into the tent, sat 
down on my bed and took a smoke, and while sitting in 
this way I fell asleep. It is cold in the tent for the men 
let the fire go out. I had a good breakfast this morning. I 
went to the cook house and asked one of the cooks to give 
me some beef. I cut off about two lbs. of steak, broiled U 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 109 

and went into it with bread and coffee. Milk is so hig-h that 
T seld'im l)ny any. so T (h'ink my coffee without it. Init we 
have jilenty of sugar. Milk is worth lo cts. a qt., butter 
28 to 30 cts. a lb., so we give up these luxuries. Three times 
a week we get potatoes, tw'ice a week we get rice with 
molasses. 

It is raining quite hard, five o'clock p. m. Our tent is 
afloat and we are digging holes to drain the water off. We 
will have a wet and muddy floor to lay on tonight. 

9 o'clock p. m. : I am going to turn in. I went out and 
took some rails off a fence and have laid them down on the 
ground so I can lay my rubber blanket on them, and then 
my bedding, and by this means keep out of the mud. We 
have a good fire in the stove and hope to have the mud 
dried up by morning. It does not look much like home 
with good bed and bedding, but as it will not last long we 
make the best of it. 

Thursday Jan'y 16, 1862. Got a 'pass' this forenoon 
to go down to the city, and visited the Patent Office. 
Among the curiosities we saw General Washington's- tent, 
his suit of clothes he wore when he resigned his commis- 
sion at Annapolis in 1783, and most of his camp utensils; 
also fifteen silk robes presented by the Emperor of Japan to 
President Buchanan. 

Ihe health of our camp is very good. I was never in 
better health. We have heard this afternoon of the arrival 
of Burnside's expedition at Fortress Monroe." 

FORTRESS MONROE. 

The Fortress encloses 75 acres of ground. It had in 1861, 
two tiers of guns, casemates and barbettes, and it was 
thought there were over three hundred guns within its 
walls. 

It is situated a mile and a half from the main land, 
and completely commands Hampton Roads and the 



110 HISTORY OF THE 

entrance to the James River. It is of great importance in 
a military point of view. The peninsula on which it stands 
is about 100 yards in width and is commanded by the guns 
of the Fortress. It is surrounded by an outside wall of 
granite. Between this wall and the walls of the fort is a 
moat twelve feet deep, and 125 feet in width. 

The garrison of 300 men was increased to iioo by the 
reinforcements conveyed from Massachusetts by the 
steamers "S. R. Spaulding" and "State of Maine." 

Grows' Journal. "January 17, 1862. I am detailed on 
the quarter guard that is over the Powder Magazine. The 
mud is almost ankle deep. The horses for our Detachment 
were matched off this forenoon and the drivers took them 
out this afternoon for exercise. I turned in at 9 o'clock and 
was awakened at 10 o'clock by the heavy firing of cannon, 
which lasted till 12 o'clock. It sounded in the direction of 
the Potomac and we have supposed it was an engagement 
Avith one of tlie rebel batteries. We shall hear in the course 
of a few days what it was for. 

Word was received here by one of our men, Mr. Estee 
of Maiden Mass., by his brother who is in the Treasurer's 
Office in this city, that this Battery would be at home in a 
few months, as the trouble would be over in a short time. 

The mud is awful, owing to the clay which is from two 
to four inches below the surface of the ground, and it stops 
the water from soaking down." 

SIGNALS. 

Office of Chief of Artillery, 
Army of the Potomac. 

Washington D. C. 
January 17, 1862. 
Commanding Officer 

Battery E. Mass. Art'y. 

Sir. 

I am instructed by Brig. Gen'l Barry, to direct you to send to the 
office of the Signal Dept. of the U. S. Army. No. 158 F. st. between 
19th and 20th streets, on Monday morning the 20th inst. at 11 o'clock, a 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. Ill 

commissioned and a non-commissioned officer, for the purpose of re- 
ceiving instruction in day and night signals. 
I am, sir. 

Very respectfully yr obt. serv't 

Alex. T. Wkhb. 

Maj. and ass't to Chief of Artillery. 



Grows' Journal. "Jan'y 20, 1862, Monday: On guard 
at 7 o'clock p. m. and came off at 9. While on guard I felt 
hungry, so I went to the quartermaster's tent and got some 
potatoes, and dug a hole in the ashes of our camp fire and 
baked them. They tasted good although we eat them with- 
out salt or gravy. 

Word was brought into camp this morning that the 
army on the other side of the river had made an advance 
today, and it was good news to us, for the sooner we ad- 
vance the sooner the struggle will be over. 

Turned in at half past nine but did not go to sleep on 
account of Joe Knox and D. McVey, for they commenced 
snoring, so I got up and took a piece of twine and tied 
their great toes together, for they sleep in the same bed. I 
tlien laid down and waited for the result. In about half 
an hour Knox went to turn over, when the twine on his toe 
brought him up, and then — they wanted to know who did 
it, but no one knew anything about it, for I had blown out 
the candle, and it was as dark as the grave. Some way they 
managed to get at the candle and light it and untie the 
twine. About half past ten I went to sleep to be called at 
I o'clock tomorrow morning." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp Sumner Jan'y 21, 1862. 

The arrival of the mail has already come to be an event 
m our life. Our Quartermaster Sergeant leaves here every 
morning, and gets back about two o'clock with the letters, 



112 HISTORY OF THE 

and the men are generally so impatient that he has to 
deliver the mail before he can get off his horse. . . We 
were troubled at first with the water running in, forming 
mud puddles, but we have found a remedy for that. We 
dug a hole in the lowest part of the tent, so that the water 
collects in this hole, and when it gets full we bail out and 
start again. . . The men are very much exposed, some 
of the tents are very wet, the water standing in puddles all 
over the floor. Then the government boots leak like a 
sponge so that they have wet feet constantly, but still they 
keep in good health and spirits. Our horses too are very 
much exposed, only protected by a hedge of cedars to keep 
off the wind. . , Lieut. Dillingham and I went out with 
them today and I had rather a gay time of it. I happened 
to get on a horse of rather high spirits, commonly known as 
the 'peacock,' a very good horse in his way, but having 
some unpleasant peculiarities. If I touched him with the 
spur he stood on his forelegs, if I checked him with the rein 
he stood on his hind legs, if T did both together he went off 
sideways in the most unaccountable style. I expected every 
five minutes to take a seat in the mud, but luckily I managed 
to keep on during the hour's ride and arrived home safely. 
I made a mental resolution, however, to try a different 
horse next time. Our stable duties have already got to be 
a little burdensome. There are three feed calls during the 
day, at each of which the officer of the day is expected to 
be at the stable to oversee the feeding; one feed call comes 
at six in the morning, — then the officer of the day is ex- 
pected to visit the stable during the night after twelve 
o'clock — . ... 

For a table wejiave a bureau with two drawers and an 
extension leaf. . . Milk is abundant and crowds of milk- 
men, women and boys visit us every day." 

In this letter Phillips speaks of "a few cedar boughs in 
front of the door to wipe our feet on." 

From Letter of January 22d. — "Visiting the stables is 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. li:{ 

ratlier tlie worst job, as the horses are kicking and splashing 
the mild round all the time. . . The men have had great 
sport lately with the cows round the camp. Quite a number 
I if these animals are straying round eating what thev can 
up, and getting rather a scanty living. To their hungry 
appetites the hay which we have piled up for the horses 
presents quite an attraction, and our men have great diffi- 
culty in keeping it for our own use. So they think they 
might as well make something out of the cows in return, 
and most of them manage to have fresh milk for breakfast. 
Besides this they get a little amusement. Not content with 
horseback riding, they have taken to riding cows, and the 
result has been a series of ludicrous catastrophes. 

The process is as follows : as soon as a cow is discovered 
in the vicinity, she is surrounded and captured by half a 
dozen men, some holding on to her horns and some on to 
her tail. Then somebody mounts the animal and off she 
goesj the length of time that her rider sticks on varying 
very much. The final result, however, is the same in all 
cases. The rider is pitched into the mud more or less 
summarily, and the animal leaves camp rapidly. . . 
Everv day we take the horses out and exercise for an hour 
or so. We generally go over to the parade ground which 
begins a short distance from our camp, and extends to the 
shores of the East Branch. The Parade contains 40 or 50 
acres, and the troops, mostly artillery, are encamped all 
around it. Eight or nine batteries of the ist N. Y. Artillery 
are encamped on our side. Close to us are 4 German 
batteries, then there are two or three regular batteries, and 
on the farther side near the cemetery there is a regiment 
of cavalry. — regulars I believe, — so you see we have quite 
a force in our \^icinity, and besides what I have mentioned 
several regiments of infantry, 57th Penn. and loth N. J. 
among them, are encamped on the hills to the Northward. 
From our camp we can see our large encampment on the 
other shore, and several forts." 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

Grows' Journal "Jan'y 22, 1862. In conversation, one 
of the best informed officers we have on the grounds told 
me today that we could not be south long, for Massachu- 
setts was the first to answer the call to arms, and therefore 
her troops will be sent home first. Word was received 
here today that as soon as the ground hardens up some, we 
will cross" the river and go into winter quarters. 

Friday Jan'y 24. Went to the Arsenal with the limber 
and caisson to have them filled with shot and shell. Was 
gone about three hours. It is now about 11 o'clock a. m., 
and I must stop to take an examination of the powder 
boxes, so I can report to the Commissary. 

After dinner I was called into the Captain's quarters, and 
was shown how to cut the fuze of shell and spherical case 
shot, it being my place after doing the carpenter's work of 
fitting the boxes containing the shell and shot, to prepare 
them ready for the No. 5 man of the gun Detachment. 

It is performed in this manner : On the outside of the 
shell there is a small dial about 2 inches in diameter, and 
marked from right to left (Like the dial of a clock) i, 2, 
3, 4, 5, for a five second shell. For instance, if you wish 
the shell to explode in three seconds after it leaves the gun, 
you take a small chisel and cut the thin lead covering of¥ at 
the figure marked '3' and then remove all the covering to 
the right,^but never cut to the left. Under this thin cover- 
ing of lead is a deposit of fine meal powder which is ignited 
by the firing of the gun. 

In a spherical case shot it is filled with musket balls and 
sulphur, and is used to fire into infantry and is capable of 
doing great execution. In a shell it is filled with powder, 
and the bursting of it causes the fragments to do a great 
deal of hurt. In a limber, that is the part to which the 
gun is attached, there are 39 rounds. In the left part are 
spherical case, in the centre are canister, and on the right 
are shell. In the caisson, that is the team that follows each 
gun, are three boxes, each one containing the same number 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 115 

of rounds as there are in the Hmber. This kind of shot and 
shell is used only on the howitzers, as they can fire only 
shell and canister. We have two howitzers and four rifled 
guns. The rifle guns can only use rifle and solid shot. A 
part of the solid shot is composed of twine and grease so 
to fill the grooves in the gun, and they are capable of going 
a great distance. 

There has been a change in the War Department in 
regard to artificers. They now only allow two regular 
ones, the blacksmith and harnessmaker, their pay is $15 a 
month, and they must work about all the time. The car- 
penter and wheelwright receive $13 a month for their regu- 
lar pay, and every day they work they receive extra pay, 
so I shall do better than the two who get $15 a month. 
This month so far I have not had anything of importance 
to do, but will soon have enough, I think. 

Saturday Jan'y 25. After dinner I was called by the 
Captain to take charge of a gun Detachment and go to the 
Navy Yard and get the caisson and limber loaded, but as 
the shot was not ready we came back. Will have to go 
down Monday again. While waiting at the yard I met 
Sergt. Wright of Porter's Battery. (First Mass.) After 
coming back to camp we had to report to the officer, and 
then we commenced digging around our tent, for the sun 
had softened the mud considerably, and we needed a chan- 
nel to drain it ofif. After this we went to roll call where 
we were addressed by General Schouler of Boston, Mass. 
He informed us that we would not be here long." 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN MAX EPPENDORFF. 

Persox.vl Remembrance from Oct. 23, '61 to Jan'y 

25, '62. 

'*On October 24th, 1861, I took charge of the Battery 
then in camp at Lynnfield. 

There were present in camp 2 First Lieutenants Geo. D. 



116 HISTORY OF THE 

Allen and John B. Hyde, and i Second Lieutenant Rob. 
Dilling-ham. 

The 2d Second Lieutenant Charles A. Phillips joined the 
Battery beginning of November. Next to these commis- 
sioned officers there was a full complement of non-com- 
missioned officers and men. 

Let me first say a few words about them. I cannot say 
too much in their favor. Of course there were some 'black 
sheep' among them, but they were soon transferred to other 
Batteries or regiments lacking men. The great majority 
of the men hailed from New England, and they were above 
the common standard of volunteers in regard to intelli- 
gence as well as morals. You soon could notice that these 
men had left their homes, not for any selfish purpose, but for 
the high cause for which each one of them was willing to 
sacrifice his life. It was a pleasure as well as an honor, 
to command them ! In the early part of November the 
camp was moved from Lynnfield to more suitable grounds 
at Readville, near Boston, which afforded plenty of roomi 
for foot-drill, the then only possible way to keep the men 
in useful activity, their outfit being limited to side arms. 

Some time in early December '6i, General Burnside pre- 
pared his expedition against certain forts along the coasts 
of Maryland and Virginia recently erected by the rebels, 
and which were opposing the advance of the federal army 
toward Richmond. To manage the guns on board the 
ships attacking these forts from the sea, the 5th Battery was 
ordered to report to General Burnside. The little article 
here annexed, cut from a New Bedford paper, gives a cor- 
rect statement of my doings after receiving the Order. 
Had I not succeeded in persuading Gov. Andrew, as well 
as General Burnside to have the order countermanded, the 
5th Battery, Mass. Light Artillery might have been wiped 
out of existence." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 117 

NEWSPAPER EXTRACT. 

"The 5th Artillery, Capt. Eppendorff, is still in camp at Readville. 
It is under orders to join Burnside's expedition, but has not been pro- 
vided with horses, and has had no drill in artillery movements. Capt. 
Eppendorfif is too much of an officer to desire to take green men 
aboard a ship with green horses, to make an artillery company of after 
reaching some far off Southern point, where immediate action may 
be necessary. He has laid the case before the Governor, and the Gov- 
ernor has written a statement of the facts to Gen. McClellan, that he 
may decide upon them. Capt. Eppendorff only asks a fair chance, and 
then he will do credit to the state and to the army." 

Notes of Captain Eppendorff continued: — "My desire to 
obtain the horses for the 6 rifled field pieces from New Eng- 
land remount, could not be granted by Governor Andrew, 
as he had been informed by the War Department in Wash- 
ington, that there were for such purposes plenty of horses. 
— nearly 4000, — in Government stables at Georgetown, 
which in course of time had been returned from the front. 

On the 25th of December, 1861, the Battery broke camp 
at Readville, and went by rail to Washington, where it went 
into camp on Capitol Hill to the East of the Capitol. Soon 
after Gen. Barry, commander-in-chief of Artillery in Gen. 
McClellan's Army of the Peninsula, sent the order to make 
out my requisition for horses needed for the Battery, in- 
forming me at the same time that I should take my pick 
from those horses returned from the front, as stated above. 
With two of my men, whom I knew to be good judges of 
horseflesh, — one of them either James A. or Charles M. 
Tripp, — I went to Georgetown, where we found the horses 
in half-open sheds, tied to the manger by leather straps or 
copes, without litter, and so close packed together as to 
make it impossible for them to lie down. 

At the end of a few days I had to report to Gen. Barry 
that I had not found a single horse among the 4000, which 
I could conscientiously consider fit for artillery service. 
Laughingly he ordered me to make out my requisition, to 



118 HISTORY OF THE 

select the horses from the Remount, which was daily 
brought in by the farmers. 

It was rather slow work, since 1 had to make an arrange- 
ment with a cavalry officer who had come there for the 
same purpose, to have the first pick of the fresh horses every 
other day. However, after a time I had the satisfaction of 
having an excellent collection of horses on the picket lines, 
— so excellent, indeed, that General IMcClellan sent his 
adjutant twice to pick horses for his private use from my 
stock. 

This duty of completing the number of horses needed, 
recjuiring my chief attention and time, I ordered Lt. Phil- 
lips to draw from the Arsenal of the Navy Yard in Wash- 
ington the ammunition for the Battery, which consisted ex- 
clusively of the Schenkle shell with Percussion and Time 
fuzes, which had recently been adopted by the War De- 
partment. 

Unfortunately, before the Battery was fully equipped, my 
health broke down, and I had to resign. When I bade the 
boys farewell, it seemed to me as if many of them showed 
that they did not like the parting. 

Some time in Winter '62, I met my old Q. M. Tim Terry. 
iFTie reported to me correctly that Gen. McClellan had de- 
clared the 5th Mass. Battery to be one of the best equipped, 
best mounted, and best disciplined in his Army, I was fully 
rewarded for what I had been able to do in the short 3 
months of my activity, to bring it to that high standard. 
But I could not have accomplished it without the assistance 
of my men ! 

I cannot close my communication without referring to a 
pleasant incident in connection with one of the privates of 

the Battery, Patrick W He belonged originally to 

the 'black sheep' mentioned above. For some reason or 
other he was spared the fate of the others to be transferred, 
although he had to be punished repeatedly and severely for 
not leaving liquor alone. — One evening whilst the Battery 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 119 

was in camp at Washington, the Orderly Johnson with, — 
if I recollect well, — Sergeant Morgridge, entered my tent 
and said : — 

'Captain! What shall we do with W. He got drunk 
again, and is in the prison-tent handcuffed. He sits on an 
empty box, pounding with his heels against it, and laughing 
at every word I say to him.' 

In spite of their remonstrances, I went to see W. alone, 
the sergeants remaining outside the tent. I found W. as 
Johnson had said, sitting on a high box, pounding furiously 
against it and grinning at me. 

After looking at him a few seconds I called out in rather 
a harsh tone : — 

'W ! Attention!' 

He jumped down and stood before me, straight, not mov- 
ing a muscle. Then I began to speak to him. What I said 
I do not remember, but soon he was on his knees before me, 
seizing my hand, and with the hot tears running down his 
cheeks, calling out with a solemn oath that he would change 
his life and never touch a drop of liquor again. 

To my question Ts that true, W. ?' he called out, 'Cap- 
tain, as true as we both are living !' 

I made him rise, had the hand-cuffs taken off, and sent 
him to his tent. 

When I saw Terry in winter he told me that W. . . . 
was one of the best men in the Battery. I was much pleased 
to see by the 'Soldiers Memorial' that W. was promoted 
March i, 1863 to be corporal. 

After the close of the War, during a visit at New Bed- 
ford, in walking up County street, I saw a heavy wagon 
with flour coming towards me, the driver sitting on top of 
it. W^hen the wagon came up to me, the driver reined in 
his horses, jumped down, ran up to me, and seizing my 
hand, called out : 'Captain ! I have kept my word !' It was 
Pat. W. and we both of us felt happy to have met again. 
If he is still living and should read this little incident, he 



120 HISTORY OF THE 

would be pleased to see that his old Captain is still kindly 
remembering him — and if he is dead, it might not be out of 
the way to ha\'e the facts made known in order to honor the 
memory of a brave man. 

MAX EPPENDORFF. 
September 17th 1900." 

ROANOKE ISLAND. 

Roanoke Island N. C. was the key to all the rear defences 
of Norfolk, and commanded the seaboard from Oregon 
Inlet to Cape Henry. It commanded the only entrance to. 
Albemarle Sound, which connects with Pamlico by means 
of Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, on either side of the 
island. 

With relation to the expedition of General Ambrose E. 
Burnside to the coasts of Maryland and Virginia referred 
to by Captain Eppendorff, official records show that on the 
6th of September, 1861. General McClellan had requested 
the Secretary of War "to organize two brigades of five regi- 
ments each, of New England men, for the general service, 
but particularly adapted to coast service." The expedition 
commanded by General Burnside, whose destination had 
been changed from the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac to 
the coast of North Carolina, was not ready until the new 
year, and on January 7, 1862, after meeting with the fleet 
at Fortress Monroe under Flag-officer Louis M. Goldsbor- 
ough, it was ordered to Roanoke Island. There were seven 
gunboats connected with Burnside's Division. The expe- 
dition sailed out of Hampton Roads January 11, 1862. 
(See p. 106.) 

VISIT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL SCHOULER. 

The chief of staff of His Excellency the Commander-in- 
Chief of the militia of the State of Massachusetts, was Ad- 
jutant General William Schouler, and January 25th, 1862, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 121 

he made an official visit to Camp Sumner on Capitol Hill. 
The object of this visit was to ascertain the condition of the 
troops, and to verify Descriptive Rolls. In a letter to the 
Governor, he says : — 

"Upon my arrival at Washington I ascertained that Captain Eppen- 
dorflf of the Fifth Battery had resigned. I visited the camp and found 
the men in good heahh and anxious to have their guns. 

By an order the Battery had been attached to General (William B.) 
Franklin's Division. For reasons not necessary to detail, they desired 
to be placed in General Fitz John Porter's command. Their case was 
presented to General William F. Barry, Chief of Artillery, by Hon. 
Me?srs. (Thomas D.) Eliot (of New Bedford) and (Daniel W.) 
Gooch (of Melrose) congressmen in whose districts the Battery was 
raised, and by myself, and he consented to the desired change, if Gen- 
eral Fitz John Porter, whose quarters were near Hall's Hill, Va., could 
find use for them. Subsequently, I had an interview with General 
Porter at his headquarters, and he asked me to say to General Barry, 
that he would be pleased to receive as many Massachusetts batteries 
as would be sent him, although he did not wish to interfere with any 
previous arrangements of the War Department. The jesult is that the 
Older was changed, and the Battery is over the river in General Por- 
ter's Division. With a few weeks' drilling it will be very efficient." 

There is no date to this letter and the closing lines are a 
little in advance of the notes of the members of the Battery 
as arranged chronologically. 

Grows' Journal "J^i'''y -6, 1862. As it was a glorious 
morning we took our bedding and all our equipments, and 
carried them out into the park to give them an airing. Tt 
was a pretty, but odd sight, to see each man's bedding lay- 
ing in front of his tent, with his knapsack, sword, canteen 
and haversack, on top. 

Thoughts on Guard. 

In the hours of the night, when you and my sweet child 
are in sweet slumbers, I am walking my 'beat' while on 
guard. I ha\'e often walked over my beat almost an hour 
at a time, and when I came to myself it would seem that I 
was just awakened from a dream. 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

Joseph Hall called in to the tent this evening. He has 
got his discharge. He was unfit for service when he en- 
listed. A more honest man never walked, but an oversight 
has caused him all this. He is only 23 years old. 

A man in the 'Rocket Battery' was killed yesterday by a 
horse, he was kicked in the head. His body will receive a 
military escort to the Depot, to then be sent to New York 
where he belongs. 

Monday Jan'y 27th. Went out and helped clean the 
Gun, after which I was ordered to look after the packing of 
some shot and shell. Was occupied till 12 o'clock. The 
escort of the man who was killed, passed by us this after- 
noon. He was in a walnut coffin, and it was placed on the 
carriage of the Gun to which he belonged. The coffin was 
covered with the American flag. 

At the 5 o'clock Roll this afternoon : The Captain of our 
Battery goes home to New Bedford tomorrow. Lieut. 
Allen takes command till a new Captain is appointed. In 
all probability it will be Allen. We all want him very 
much." 

Chase's Diary "J^^^'y ^7' 1862. Capt. Eppendorff in- 
formed the Battery, that his resignation had been accepted. 
First Lieut. G. D. Allen left in command until a captain is 
appointed." 

This was at that important period when General McClel- 
lan w^as engaged in perfecting the organization of the Army 
of the Potomac and on this day, January 27th, President 
Lincoln issued his General War Order No. i, directing a 
general movement of the land and naval forces. 

Chase's Diary "January 28th. Captain Eppendorff left 
camp." 

Grow's Journal "J^^^^'y 28. Tuesday. On account of 
new regulations we were called at 6 this morning, and at 
a quarter past 6 was Roll Call, and half past 6 was Feed 
Call, for the drivers to attend to their horses. At 7 was 
Water Call for the horses. At 8 o'clock we had breakfast. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 123 

I am very glad of this change for it is better for the men. 
We had dinner at one o'clock instead of 12." 

The Officer of the Day attended the Roll Call. The 
drivers fell in at Stable or Feed Call with "nose bags" to 
be filled with grain. The Officer of the Day rode a horse 
bareback at Water Call to superintend the driving of the 
horses to water. 

Grows' Journal "J'l"'}' -9' 1862. Tonight for supper 
we had tea, the first I have tasted since I have been here. 

Friday January 31st. Had a drill on the Gun this after- 
noon. 

Saturday, Feb. i. After breakfast went out to see the 
horses, found one with a broken leg. He was kicked in the 
night by one of the horses and had his leg broken. He was 
killed by being knocked in the head. One Battery has been 
disbanded near to us, they were a New York company. 
One of our men was at the Capitol today, and the subject 
in the Senate Chamber was to have some of the batteries 
discharged. We will hear more about it soon. 

Sunday, Feb. 2d, the 'drivers' turned out at 9 to clean 
their horses and harnesses, and the cannoneers to clean up 
their quarters &c. &c. I was detailed for guard at 1 1 
o'clock to be on till i o'clock p. m. At 12 o'clock we were 
visited by Colonel Amory of Boston, — he is Master of Ord- 
nance at the State House, — and also Colonel (T. Bigel!)w) 
Lawrence. The men were drawn up in line and were ad- 
dressed by them. They were sent down here by Governor 
Andrew to see how the men were used, and if they were 
comfortable. They examined our quarters and our horses 
and guns &c. &c. and appeared highly pleased with the de- 
portment of the men. They left us about >^ past one 
o'clock. At 2 o'clock there was divine service in the camp, 
and the men's voices singing did sound splendid while I was 
lying down in my tent. I did not have to go out into the 
line for I was on the guard list. Went on guard again at 
5 o'clock p. m. 



124 HISTORY OF THE 



BOX FROM HOME. 

Monday Feb. 3, 1862. At 12 o'clock word came into 
the tent that the team had come with boxes from the ex- 
press office. Went out and found Harry Simonds with the 
Detachment. He showed me the box. I carried it to his 
quarters and opened it. I received four immense pies, two 
.splendid cakes, tea, coffee, sugar, pop corn, papers etc. 

Wednesday Feb. 5th. Most of the Detachments had a 
drill on their guns. The order was in the morning, 
'Empty beds!' In the afternoon the straw came, but it 
was wet and damp, so I could not fill my bed, and I had to 
turn in on the ground. 

Thursday Feb. 6. Went out at M past 6 to Roll Call. 
Before we were dismissed to our quarters we were ordered 
to appear at 10 o'clock in full uniform with side arms; 
horses hitched in and cannoneers mounted, but a hail storm 
came up at 8 o'clock, and it has continued to rain, snow, 
and hail about all day. 

Friday Feb. 7. All of the men besides myself except 
one, filled their beds with the damp straw, the consequence 
was they all got cold, while Carsley and myself are well. 
After breakfast we were ordered to appear at 10 o'clock in 
full uniform with side arms, for the Review. The drivers 
hitched in their horses at 10, and at 5^ past the cannoneers 
were on the boxes. It was a splendid sight. Went through 
the drill of 'Mounting and Dismounting,' and at 11 
o'clock, the gun Detachments were dismissed to their quar- 
ters, and the drivers had to turn out for Riding drill. They 
returned at Yi past 12, looking muddy enough. 

Sunday, Feb. 9, 1862. The men were called into line at 
T T o'clock for divine ser^'ice. After singing two or three 
tunes, and reading a chapter in the Bible, — Matthew 4th 
chapter, — we were dismissed. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 125 

Monday Feb. loth, got a pass to go to the city. Went 
into the Capitol to see the new painting of General ( Win- 
field) Scott. It is a large and splendid thing. Saw the 
large paintings in the gallery viz., 'The Surrender of Lord 
Cornwallis,' 'The Resignation of Washington at Annapolis 
in 1783,' 'The Embarkation of the Pilgrims,' 'The Land- 
ing of Columbus,' 'The Discovery of the Mississippi River 
by De Soto,' 'The Baptism of Pocahontas,' 'The Declara- 
tion of Independence,' and 'The Surrender of Burgoyne.' " 

Chase's Diary "Feb. 10, 1862. Hitched up and took 
guns from the park first time. 

Feb. II. 1862. 5th and 6th Detachments hitched up 
and drilled Tn Battery' under Lieut. C. A. Phillips, first 
time." 

Grows' Journal "Feb. nth. Was called at i o'clock this 
morning and went on guard. There is a circle around the 
moon. I think we shall soon have a storm. Am feeling 
tired and sleepy but I must keep my eyes open, and keep a 
sharp lookout. One of our horses is back of my tent dying 
with the Lung Fever and Horse Ail. He will die in a 
short time. It looks hard to see him suffer, and not be al- 
lowed to kill him and put him out of his misery, but that is 
military rule, unless a horse has a broken leg — then you are 
allowed to kill him." 

Chase's Diary "Feb. 12, 1862. Exchanged our 6 
pounder guns for 10 pounder rifled Rodman guns." 

GUNS AND PROJECTILES. 

Our guns were exchanged for six three-inch rifled guns. 
The three-inch gun adopted in our field service, was made 
of wrought iron, having 7 grooves, .84 in. wide and .075 in. 
depth. The twist was uniform, and made one turn in 1 1 
feet. 

The Schenkle projectile was used almost entirely; com- 
posed of a cast iron body, the posterior portion of which 



126 HISTORY OF THE 

terminated in a cone. The expanding portion was a papier 
mache wad, which being forced forward on to the cone, was 
expanded into the rifling of the bore. On issuing from the 
bore, the wad is blown to pieces, leaving the projectile en- 
tirely unincumbered in its flight through the air. 

Occasionally the Hotchkiss projectile was used. This 
was a compound shot consisting of two parts of cast iron, 
with the rear cap fitting over the forward portion. Around 
the joint was placed a band of lead so locked into both parts 
of the shot as to prevent its flying off after it leaves the 
piece. The explosion of the charge forces the rear part 
forward, expanding the lead, forcing it into the grooves, 
and cutting off windage. The amount of expansion is lim- 
ited by the distance the cap is allowed to move, and the 
strain upon the gun is thus reduced to the smallest amount 
required to give the necessary expansion. The shot is the 
same as the shell, but left solid. 

The 12 pounder Napoleon was of bronze, smooth bore, 
and muzzle loading. It was officially known as the "light 
twelve" to distinguish it from the old regulation 12 pounder, 
which was longer and heavier, though of the same calibre. 
Its principal dimensions were as follows : 

Length over all, 6 feet. 

Length of bore 5 ft. 3^2 inches. 

Diameter at breech 11 inches. 

Diameter at muzzle 8/^ inches. 

Diameter of bore 4^ inches. 

Weight of gun 1,220 pounds. 

The round solid shot for this gun weighed 12 pounds. 
The comm.on shell, with bursting charge [8 ounces] and 
fuze, weighed nine and one-half pounds. The shrapnel or 
spherical case, which was a thin shell filled with musket 
balls and a bursting charge, weighed with its "sabot" 12^4 
pounds. The canister, which was a tin can of the size of 
the bore and six inches long, filled with cast iron shot about 
an inch in diameter, weighed 14 pounds. The "sabot" was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 127 

a piece of wood turned to fit the bore, and was placed be- 
tween the powder and the projectile, instead of the wads. 
It was used only in smooth bore guns firing spherical pro- 
jectiles. 

The rifled guns, which fired conical projectiles, did not 
use the "sabot." 

By regulation the powder charges for shot, shell and case, 
were two and one half pounds, and for canister two pounds. 
The fuze at that time used for round shell and case shot was 
a metal disk one and one-half inches in diameter. Its outer 
surface was of lead, or an alloy of lead, soft enough to cut 
easily. Underneath this metal surface was a ring of "meal 
powder" or igniting composition. The exterior of the 
metal disk was marked like the dial of a clock, — three-puar- 
ters, one, one and one-quarter, one and one-half, one and 
three-quarters, two, and so on up to five. These figures 
indicated in seconds and fractions thereof the time at which 
the shell would explode after leaving the muzzle if the soft 
metal was cut out immediately over the desired figure on 
the dial, so as to expose the composition at that point to the 
flames of the powder charge (seep. 114. Grows.) 

The carriage of the light 12 pounder complete weighed 
2,600 pounds, which, with the gun made a total weight of 
3.800 pounds, or nearly two tons. 

The pattern of caisson remains now substantially as it 
was then. 

The equipment of the rifle batteries was in general the 
same as that of the 12 pounders except in the matter of am- 
munition. 

The 10 pounder Parrott was scant three inches in caliber, 
and was made of cast iron, with a wrought iron band 
shrunk on over the breech. 

The thee-inch Rodman was of wrought iron, forged 
solid, and then bored and rifled. Both these types of guns 
used conical projectiles, weighing, for solid shot, 10 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

pounds; common shell about eight pounds, and shrapnel 
about loY^ pounds. 

They also had a special canister made for them. 

The three-inch wrought iron rifle was generally consid- 
ered superior to the lo pounder Parrott, in consequence of 
the liability of the latter to blow up or break off between the 
fore-end of the reinforce and the trunnions. But so long 
as the Parrott gun held together it was as good as any muz- 
zle-loading rifle. 

The Parrott ammunition could be used in the three-incii 
guns if necessary, but the three-inch projectile could not be 
used in the lo pdr. Parrotts, because the latter were one- 
tenth of an inch smaller caliber. 

ARTILLERY HORSES. 

A letter from Fortress Monroe to the New York Com- 
mercial Advertiser in July, 1861, no name signed, thus de- 
scribed tlie trained horses of the Artillery : — 

"It requires considerable time to mount the guns proper for an 
aavancing army, to supply them with trained horses, and especially 
the right kind of harness. The horse must become accustomed to the 
gleam of arms, the roll of drums, the flaunting of banners, the flash 
and the smoke and the roll of cannon. When the war horse is drilled 
and disciplined, without a sign from man he wheels, advances, and 
retreats, with almost miraculous rapidity, often compelling riders and 
gunners to spring to keep their saddles, or escape his lightning like 
movements. They are made familiar with the guns by having their 
nostrils placed so close to their muzzles as to feel the heat and inhale 
the powder." 

BREAKING CAMP. 

It was on February 13, 1862, Thursday, that the Fifth 
Mass. Battery was ordered to report to General Fitz John 



i 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 129 

Porter, commanding- the First Division, Army of the Po- 
tomac. 

Chase's Diary of that date has the entry: — "Reveille at 
2 a. m. Broke camp and left camp at y a. m. for Hall's 
Hill, Va., and arrived at our new camp about 2 p. m. Bat- 
tery now attached to General Butterfield's Brigade of Gen- 
eral Fitz John Porter's Division, Army of the Potomac." 

Grows' Journal has the following : — " 'Reveille' was 
sounded at 2 o'clock in the morning, at Yi past 2 the 'As- 
sembly' was sounded. We were then drawn up in line, 
and told to prepare to 'break camp.' At 6 o'clock in the 
morning every tent was down and packed away, our uni- 
forms on, knapsacks lashed to the spare wheel, and our 
rations in our haversacks, and all were ready to start. At 
I past 7 the bugle sounded 'Forward,' and we took up 
our line of march. It was a most glorious morning, and 
the sun was very warm. We went through the city, the 
baggage and mule train bringing up the rear. We passed 
through Georgetown to the Aqueduct. After passing the 
bridge the order was 'Cannoneers Dismount.' On account 
of the mud, in some places it was almost over boots, we 
had to go this way for 4 miles when we arrived at our camp 
ground, and it is a nice place, with a large stream close by 
and woods in our rear which will protect us from the winds. 
There are about 6000 to 8000 men encamped around here. 
The i8th Mass., the 22d Mass., a Kentucky and a Michi- 
gan Regt.. the 9th Mass. Regt., and Follett's Battery (Third 
Mass.). We arrived on this ground at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon. Took a rest of about one hour, and then went 
to work pitcBing our tents, which we had up in good sea- 
son. On our march we passed several forts and concealed 
batteries built by our troops. 

This (Hall's) hill is so fortified that it is impossible for 
the rebels to get to Washington. After our tents were up 



130 HISTORY OF THE 

I took a walk around the camp. Saw a large body of cav- 
alry coming, bringing "secesh' prisoners. They go out 
scouting every morning, returning at night. We are en- 
camped only about 8 miles from the rebels, who are at Fair- 
fax Court House. Our pickets are thrown out for from 
four to five miles. In about two weeks there will be a 
grand advance made by our troops." 

FORT CORCORAN, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. 
Forts Runvon and Corcoran commanded the Lon 



t> 



Bridge and the Aqueduct. Fort Albany commanded the 
Columbia and the Aqueduct and Alexandria roads. After 
General McClellan assumed command of the Army of the 
Potomac the interval between Fort Corcoran at Arlington 
Heights and Fort Albany near Alexandria was filled by a 
series of works within supporting distance of each other. 

THE REMOVAL, BY LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"The morning was clear and bright and the moon had 
not set. By seven o'clock everything was ready and we 
started. Passing through Pennsylvania Avenue we kept 
on to Georgetown and crossed the Aqueduct. On the other 
side of that the Battery halted and one by one the pieces 
prepared to ford their passage. As the First piece went 
ahead I remained in the rear, and soon loud shouts of laugh- 
ter from the surrounding soldiers informed me that some- 
thing had occurred. At first I was afraid the piece was 
stuck, but I found afterwards that it was one of our men 
who was stuck in the mud, and who in being pulled out had 
left both his boots behind. The Second piece followed the 
First, and as it disappeared I ordered my section forward 
and on we went up the end of the bridge, then to the left 
and over a ditch on the right into the mud, and such mud ! 
However, the horses pulled bravely, and on we went. A 



^ 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 131 

little ahead came the hardest tug, up a little ascent, Init we 
got well over it. The mules followed with the baggage 
teams, and though they stuck a little we all got through 
without any accident. Just after crossing the Aqueduct the 
road passes through an intrenchment for infantry, and then 
keeps on round Fort Corcoran." 

Fort Corcoran he describes as a square, bastion fort three 
sides mounted with heavy guns, and the side toward the 
Aqueduct merely a stockade, loop holed for musketrv, and 
defended by small swivel guns. "Bevond Fort Corcoran," 
he continues, "the road passes through another breastwork 
for artillery and infantry, and then keeps on through the 
mud and the camp of the 3d Penn. Cavalry. Passing 
through this we turned to the right down a new corduroy 
road which carries us straight to camp." 

The engineers built the "ccjrdurov" by felling trees and 
laying them across the road. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Vicinity of Hall's Hill. 

Feb. 14, 1862. 

Wt are just this side of Hall's Hill proper, on a little hill 
close by a large house. Our camp is on the right going from 
Washington, and our parade ground, — an excellent one, — 
on the left. . . . 

We arrived at our camp at noon, and had everything 
fixed before dark. Everything is as good as can be. The 
ground is quite dry comparatively speaking. We have good 
water at the foot of the hill behind the stables, and wood 
growing in abundance all round. Two regiments of cavalry 
passed us this morning on a scouting expedition. We have 
not yet named our camp." 

In another letter Lieut. Phillips thus describes scenes in 
camp : — 



132 HISTORY OF THE 

"This morning we had an inspection of blankets, har- 
nesses, brushes, curry-combs, whips &c., and while we were 
at this Gen. Porter rode up accompanied by Lieut. S. M. 
Weld of his staff. I went up to Lieut. Weld's quarters the 
other night, and found him quite comfortably located. . . . 
Our camp ground is now quite dry ... all the men have 
built bunks to sleep in. . . . We are very lucky in having 
quite a little forest behind us, which supplies us with as 
much wood as we want. Our stables are down in the woods 
and are floored with trunks of small trees, so that the horses 
keep very dry. Some of the camps round here are placed in 
very exposed situations. The 22d Mass. right on top of 
Hall's Hill, gets all the wind that blows, and it blows pretty 
hard here occasionally. Two nights last week we had a 
perfect hurricane, which tried the strength of our tents 
pretty effectually. Several went down, and for a time I was 
in doubt whether ours was going to stand up or not. How- 
ever, we managed to keep the pole up, and the pins down, 
but could not succeed in keepin.o- the wind out, so in spite of 
our fire we had to go to bed early to keep warm. Our tent 
has suffered a little from the perils of war. The top got 
burnt a little one day, and as if this were not sufficient for 
ventilating purposes, Lieut. Scott's horse put his foot 
through it yesterday afternoon. As we are getting to look 
at things in a philosophical light we do not trouble our- 
selves with small trifles. I have forgotten how to take cold 
or get sick." 



Grows' Journal. "Friday morning Feb. 14, 1862. Or- 
ders were given that after breakfast all of the men clean up 
the Park. After eating we all went at it, and in about two 
hours there was not a large stone to be seen on the camp 
ground. Then we dressed our pieces and caissons and cov- 
ered them, then went to our quarters. After dinner dressed 
up and went out. The men were drawn up in line to receive 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 133 

Captain Griffin and Aide. (Captain Charles Griffin, Battery 
D, 5th U. S.) He is the man who lost a portion of his bat- 
tery at Bull Run. He is a stern looking man, but a splendid 
artillerist. He will be our drill master. We were marched 
to our pieces and had a slight drill. We have now four 
three in. dia. long guns of iron, and two brass howitzers, 
tweh'e pounders. They are saucy looking dogs. After this 
we went to our tents. About 1 1 boxes have come this after- 
noon for men in the company, and they are very glad. We 
are encamped on the grounds once occupied by President 
William Henry Harrison. His mansion is very near us. It 
is now used for a Small Pox Hospital. There are now 
there six or seven cases. A slaughter house is on our camp 
ground where they kill cattle for the soldiers, so we have 
fresh beef quite often. 

Saturday Feb. 15. Snowing. After breakfast I was de- 
tailed with Harry Simonds and others, to cut down some 
trees for a stable. Got the stable built and went to dinner, 
had fresh beef and bread and water. After dinner was de- 
tailed with three others to get water for the cooks, after 
which I went into my tent and had a smoke. Was called at 
4 o'clock to fix some shovels for the snow which is now 
about 3 in. deep. It is snowing very hard. The guard were 
called out to salute General Barry and staff as they passed 
the camp." 

FORM OF PASS. 

Division Head Quarters 
Hall's Hill Va. Feb. 15. 1862. 

Pass Lieut. Allen INIass. Art'y. to Washington and return on im- 
portant private business. 

By com. of 

Brig. Gen'l Porter 
• g. monteith. 

Lt. & A. D. C. 

The signature "by com. of" &c. is in red ink. the re- 
mainder in black ink, plain and clear after forty years. 



134 



HISTORY OF THE 



THE ROLL AT HALL'S HILL. 
XoTES OF Joseph L. Kxox, Sept. 25. 1899. 

■'You will find a list of the men as near as I can remem- 
ber them, and I think that it is just as it was called at Hall's 
Hill in 1861." 



Allen 


Flynn 


^Manchester 


Agen 


Freeborn 


Xield 


Alden 


Groves 


Xewhall 


Alton I 


Greeley 


Xewton 


Almy 


Grows 


Olin 


Alton 2 


Gunning 


Finder 


Burt 


Gale 


Poole 


Butler 


Gardner 


riatt 


Brown 


Gustine 


Parsons 


Barry 


Gilbert 


Proctor 


Burkis 


Hart 


Rice 


Barnard 


Harden 


Ray 


Blanchard 


Hail 


Saxon 


Clark I 


Hewitt 


Shaw I 


Canty 


Hathaway i 


Stantial 


Cook 


Hathaway 2 


Shaw 2 


Caswell 


Jordan 


Stiles 


Carsley 


Tav 


Shaw 3 


Chase 


Kay 


Tucker 


Crapo 


Knox 


Townsend 


Clark 2 


Kanuse 


Terry 


Dunham 


King 


Tripp I 


Dyer 


Leach 


Tripp 2 


Drew 


Lapham 


\\'hitcher 


Dickerman 


^litchell 


^^'ashburn i 


Doherty 


]^Iurray 


^^>st I 


Estee 


^lorrison 


\\'ashburn 2 


Fitzsimmons 


^lack 
^IcA>y 


West 2 



"Sunday Feb. 16, 1862. (Grows' Journal.) Got up at 
the usual time feeling awfully stiff with the rheumatism. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 135 

The 9th Mass. Regt. and a Regiment of Cavalry went to 
Fairfax to disperse some rebels. They marched to Vienna 
but did not see anything. Five more 'Secesh' were brought 
in today. They were examined and sent to the Prison at 
Washington. I must stop now to cut up a chicken for one 
of the men, also some pies and cake which he had sent to 
him in a box. I have made some tea and shall have a glori- 
ous supper. So much like home. . . . After having a smoke 
we told stories, sang a little, went to Roll Call at 8. and 
turned in at >^ past 8." 

Chase's Diary. "'Feb. 17, 1862, Lieut. Allen announced 
to the Company that he had been commissioned as Captain, 
and the other lieutenants were promoted. Serg't. H. D. 
Scott promoted to 4th Lieut. Company called in line and 
the great victory of Fort Donelson announced by orders 
from Head Quarters. Hearty cheers for the great victory 
and new officers." 

Forts Henn,' and Donelson were the centre of the Con- 
federate line in Tennessee. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

-Hall's Hill Feb. 18, 1862. 

While I had my section out this morning, Captain Griffin 
rode up and drilled us a little. Our men do first rate consid- 
ering what opportunities we have had. Captain Griffin says 
we have "the finest set of men that ever were got together 
on the face of the earth' ! Lieut. Henry W. Kingsbury of 
Captain Griffin's Batter}- has been assigned to this Battery 
as instructor, as General Porter wishes to push us forward 
as fast as possible, so that we shall not be much behind the 
rest of the Division. 

The following changes have been announced to the Bat- 
ten.- : — 

Junior 2d Lt. Henry D. Scott. 

Sergeant H. O. Simonds vice Scott promoted. 



136 HISTORY OF THE 

Corporal C. H. Macomber vice Simonds promoted. 

Yesterday we received circular orders from General Por- 
ter announcing the glorious news from Fort Donelson, fol- 
lowed by permission to issue a ration of whiskev to the 
men, and an order to fire a national salute. As we are a 
temperance battery we did nothing about the whiskey, and 
having no blank cartridges we had to send to Captain Mar- 
tin's (Third Mass.) Battery to get them. By the time we 
got ready it was dark, and we postponed the salute till this 
morning, when it was fired in good stvle." 

Chase's Diary. "Feb. i8, 1862. A salute of 34 guns 
fired by Serg'ts Lull and Smith's Detachments." 

Grows' Journal "Feb. 18, 1862. Tuesdav. The assembly 
was sounded at 10. We all turned out in line and were 
informed that my friend Harry Simonds was to be the ser- 
geant of the 6th Detachment. The men were very glad, for 
he is well liked both by men and officers. At 11 we went 
out to drill under the Drill Captain, — Grifhn. He is very 
strict about drill. At 2 we went to drill again. I had to 
take No. I's place on account of his being on guard. It is a 
rather hard berth, but if it is understood it is one of the 
best berths there is on the piece. Drill was over at 3 when 
we went to our quarters. 

Wednesday Feb. 19, 1862. The rain held up a little this 
afternoon, and the Detachment went out to drill on the guns, 
for word has come that we must move in fifteen days with 
the Division. We expect to go to Manassas Junction. I 
want to go on with the Division and see what is to be seen 
and not be kept up here in camp like a prisoner. 

Thursday Feb. 20, 1862. A splendid morning. About 
I o'clock Lieut. R. A. Dillingham ordered me to build some 
feed boxes for the horses, so I went to work on them. At 
y2 past 2 Lieut. Kingsbury of the Regulars came over to 
drill the men, and he did 'put them through a course of 
sprouts' they never saw before. Knocked off work at 5 and 
went to Roll Call, had 8 boxes made 16 ft. long. Had sup- 
per at y2 past 5 of bread and coffee; the coffee was fair, but 
the bread was black and verv hard. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 137 

A change has been made in the hours of the day in regard 
to drill. The preparatory call is at lo minutes of 6 in the 
morning, the Reveille at 6, giving the men lo minutes to 
dress and be out in line. After Roll, breakfast call, at 34 
to 7 stable call, at 7 the 'Sick Call.' At this last call all that 
are sick fall into line, and are marched to the Hospital. 

It is a good idea, for the men cannot play off sick. 

Instead of mounting guard at 9 in the morning as usual, it 
is now at 5 in the afternoon." 

FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Feb. 20, 1862 : The officers, commissioned and non-com- 
missioned have daily recitations in Artillery Tactics, and 
Lieut. Kingsbury has the general oversight of the drill and 
interior economy of the Battery. This morning he took 
charge of the drill on the guns, and this afternoon he intro- 
duced several changes in the working of the Battery. He is 
a gentleman, and a well drilled officer, and a brother-in-law 
of General Buckner, — lately captured, — who married his 
sister. Captain Griffin has been here several times. Gen. 
McClellan and staff rode by here this forenoon on a tour 
of inspection. Our guard was turned out, sabres presented, 
and the General touched his cap. 

We exchange our two howitzers in a few days for two 
three inch rifled guns, so that my section \\\\\ be like the rest. 
Our ammunition will come in a few days, and we shall com- 
mence target-shooting." 

Grows' Journal: "Friday Feb. 21st. At 9, went to see 
about some pickets being cut for the feed troughs to be put 
on for the horses to eat out of. Worked till dinner time. 
A new- rule has been made : the guard of one day will do the 
police duty of the camp the following day. Today I was 
stationed over the quartermaster store tent, and I did not 
want for good things to eat." 



138 HISTORY OF THE 

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY 1862.— A NOTABLE 
ANNIVERSARY. 

By General Orders No. 16. Head Quarters of the Army, 
Washington, Eeb. 18, 1862, in compHance with concurrent 
resokitions of Congress that the President should direct that 
Orders be issued, copious extracts from the Farewell Ad- 
dress of George Washingon were read to the troops by com- 
mand of Major General McClellan simultaneously with the 
performance of a similar ceremony before the two branches 
of Congress in joint session assembled. 

In these extracts were emphatic utterances in regard to 
the unity of government, which might have been spoken in 
the light of actual events by the orator had he been still at 
the head of the Army of the United States : — 

"But as it is easy to foresee that from different causes, and from 
different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, 
to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, — as this is the 
point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal 
and external enemies will be most constantly and actively, — though 
often covertly and insidiously, — directed, it is of infinite moment that 
you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union 
to your collective and individual happiness ; that you should cherish a 
cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it : accustoming your- 
selves to think and to speak of it as a palladium of your political safety 
and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety: dis- 
countenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in 
any event be abandoned : and indignantly frowning upon the first dawn- 
ing of every attempt to alienate anv portion of our country from the 
rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various 
parts." 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 22, 1862. Gun drill in the after- 
noon under Lieut. Kingsbury of the Regular Art'y, in the 
presence of Gen'l Porter. First and Second Detachments 
hitched up and practised with shells, and a misdirected one 
went through a house occupied by a family; shell burst, but 
no one hurt." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 130 

AN ACCOUNT OF THE TARGET SHOOTING BY 
LIEUT. PHILLIPS, IN A LETTER DATED 

Feb. 23, 1862 : — "Lieut. Kingsluiry has not yet fairly 
commenced operations. He has drihed us once or twice. 
Tomorrow, however, he wih pitch his tent and move into 
camp. The terms upon which we consented to have him 
come here were that he shtnild act as instructor 'until such 
time as we were able to take the field alone'; Captain Grif- 
fin's own words. But I do not know whether Lt. K. quite 
understands this. He talks of commanding the Battery, and 
of taking us into the first action, but he can hardly do this 
against the consent of Captain Allen, his ranking officer. 
The conclusion I come to is that we can dispense with his 
instructions whenever we choose. However, I am very glad 
to have him here as we all need to learn a good deal. He has 
assigned lessons in the 'Instruction for Field Artillery' to 
the commissioned and non commissioned officers and has 
had two recitations. Hyde, Dillingham, Scott and I recited 
together, and I believe I came out best, not having yet got 
out of my college practice. 

Lieut. K., without troubling himself about the lesson as- 
signed, skipped all over the book from Battery manreuvres 
to harnessing a horse, but did not succeed in catching me, 
so I think I am all right in that quarter. 

Yesterday afternoon Captain Griffin and Lieut. Kings- 
bury came here and ordered out the Right section for target 
shooting, so taking 40 rounds of ammunition, we started 
across the country, taking two fences, and a man's back 
yard on the way, till we got to the top of a hill, and came 
into battery. 

The mark was a stump on an opposite hill, distance 800 or 
1,000 yards, as we afterwards ascertained. The day being 
foggy and misty. Captain G. and Lt. K. who directed the 
firing, put the pieces at an elevation of 3 and 4 degrees, cor- 
responding to a range of 1300 and 1600 yds. With these 



140 HISTORY OF THE 

elevations changing to 2° and 4/^°, we fired about 20 shots, 
some percussion fuzes and some time fuzes, but could not 
see where any of them burst. 

At first Captain G. laid this to the fuzes, but finally we 
tried an elevation of iM° ^nd landed a shell half way be- 
tween the stump and the top of the hill, so we came to the 
conclusion that we must have been firing over the top of the 
hill. 

Finally, disgusted, and without hitting the mark, we lim- 
bered up and returned. On our way to camp we met two 
men on horseback, looking rather frightened, who informed 
us that we had been shelling their houses. Lt. Scott went 
over with them to the scene of operations, and found half a 
mile beyond the hill a bunch of houses where most of our 
shell had burst, and he picked up quite a number of frag- 
ments lying round. One shell went through the door of a 
house, knocked out the underpinning on the other side and 
was picked up in the mud. Another whistled close by a 
woman's head, and some of the shrapnel scattered bullets 
among some children playing round. As soon as the shells 
began to whistle round the house the inhabitants cleared out, 
and when Scott got there he found only two dogs left. Al- 
together it was a pretty narrow escape, and we feel thankful 
that nobody was hurt. We told the man that we knew 
nothing about the country, but the shooting was under the 
direction of Captain Griffin, and General Porter was present, 
and we supposed that they knew what was in range of our 
guns." 

Carefully preserved in Lieut. Phillips' desk (see p. 441) is a 
brass instrument for sighting a Gun, showing elevation &c., 
length 93^ inches. 

LIEUT. SCOTT'S VERSION. 

Lieut. Henry D. Scott remarks relative to the drill in 
tactics at this time, and the target shooting episode : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 141 

"Kingsbury was a gentleman, and treated us very hand- 
somely. He was afterwards killed at Antietam while mak- 
ing a charge with the loth Conn, as its colonel. While the 
Battery remained here it was ordered out for target practice. 
It was supposed that the principal object was to try the effi- 
ciency of the men with rifled guns. The Battery was placed 
in position on a hill some distance away from Hall's HiJ|, 
on our right towards Chain Bridge up the Potomac, an open 
valley in front, with a wooded hill some 12 to 15 hundred 
yards distant. 

No house was in sight, and the trunk of a large, dead tree 
on top of the hill was to be the target. 

All the general officers of the 5th Corps with staffs were 
present to witness the practice. After several shots had 
been fired in which all seemed to have something to say, the 
target was not hit, nor could any one tell where the shots 
struck or went. In fact no one of the Battery had ever fired 
the guns before, and could not have acquired the experience 
which came to them afterwards in which some fine practice 
was done. 

The firing was kept up, slowly, until towards night, when 
a citizen rode into the company, his horse all of a white 
foam, and said : 'Stop firing. You are shelling the village 
be}'ond the woods !' 

I had only been a spectator up to this time. Of course the 
practice was ended, and I was ordered to go with the citizen 
and report the damage, if any had been done. Following 
the rider a roundabout way of two miles or more, we struck 
the scene of the excitement in the town of Union. It was 
a collection of pretty houses, well kept and painted, with one 
street running parallel to the direction in which the shots 
had come, and which had been well ploughed by the shots 
from the Battery. I saw no one at first, but the people soon 
came out of cellars and other hiding places, and were soon 
quieted. They were told that the commander of the Bat- 
tery could not have known of the village or its nearness, but 



142 HISTORY OF THE 

he had sent me to inquire into and report any damage to 
Hfe or property. It was found that several shots had struck 
one house, one passing through a door and lodging in a 
cellar; another passing through a kitchen. However, no 
great damage had been done. They claimed to be union 
citizens, and I saw nothing that led me to suppose to the 
contrary. They certainly could not be blamed for being 
frightened out of their wits. Returning to camp alone in 
the darkness, I reported what the result of the firing had 
been and nothing more was heard about it. It was singular 
that no one knew of the close proximity of the village. It 
must have been outside the picket line." 

THE DAY IN CAMP.— ANOTHER SHOOTING EPI- 
SODE. THEY KNEW HOW IT WAS 
THEMSELVES. 

Grows' Journal: "Saturday, Feb. 22, 1862. Washing- 
ton's Birth Day. Was called at i o'clock this morning to go 
on guard. Went out to my post and found I had more duty 
to do. I had to look after six teams loaded with powder and 
fixed ammunition. I had to see that there were no lights or 
smoking, within fifty feet of them. Was relieved at 3 this 
morning, went to my tent and turned in on my bed, for I 
now have a bedstead. Yesterday four of us cut some trees 
and built us some bedsteads. They are tip top. but they are 
not feather beds by any means. After turning in I had 
some hot coffee, which one of the men made for me while 
I was out. It warmed me up first rate. Called again at 7 in 
the morning. It began to rain like fury but I did not mind 
that, for I had a good post, where I could keep clear of the 
rain. The Quartermaster gave me some rice and sugar. 
Relieved at 9 and went to my quarters. At 12 . . . cooked 
my rice and had a tip top dinner. At i o'clock I went on 
guard. In a few minutes after I was surprised by seeing 
James Tuttle of Boston. He is in the 22d Mass. Regt. He 
looks well. He staved a short time and left for his camp. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. I43 

Shortly after we were visited by General Porter. Ca])tain 
Griffin, and their aides. Tliey ordered two of our pieces to 
be taken out for target practice. They went ofT over the 
hill, and were soon out of sight. I was relieved at 3, and 
went to mv tent. Stayed in about one hour, when I went 
out to see Harry Simonds and C. C. Allen take a ride on 
horseback. Harry took the lead, and Allen after him on a 
slow trot. He had not gone more than thirty feet, when 
Allen's horse slipped on a stone, and broke his nigh hind 
leg short off in the thigh. \\^ord was immediately sent to 
the Captain : — he was off with the pieces on practice, — 
about the horse, for we are not allowed to kill a horse, unless 
it is done in the presence of two commissioned officers. He 
did not come till most 6 o'clock, and that poor horse lav 
there all that time, in awful agony. When Captain Allen 
came, the horse was instantly killed, dragged off, and buried. 
It was one of the best horses we had. 

During the time the men were out on practice two of the 
shells went into a house of a Union man and one exploded 
in the vard. The house was over ij/'j miles from where the 
firing was. The poor man thought the rebels were coming, 
and taking his wife and six children he came into our camp 
almost frightened to death. They were informed that it 
was an accident, and they went to their home, happy 
enough. It was a great wonder that some of them were 
not killed. 

A Minie ball j^assed through our cook house close to the 
head of one of our men. Some of the infantry were firing 
at a target, when, it is supposed, some one carelessly 
pointed his gun in the direction of our camp. They are bad 
things to trifle with. 

Sunday Feb. 23d. At 4 this afternoon, we w^ere all called 
into line, to have the Articles of War read to us, it being 
the duty of the commander of any Reg't. or Battery in the 
service of the United States to read them to the men under 



144 HISTORY OF THE 

their command once in three months. We were dismissed 
to our quarters at Yz past 4.'' 

THE ARTICLES OF WAR. 

The Articles of War were rules and articles by which the 
Armies of the United States were governed. They were 
established by Act of Congress, and were one hundred in 
number. They embraced every department of the service 
in every part of the country, and provided for the regulation 
of the conduct of officers and soldiers in every contingency 
and capacity, from the rulings of courts martial to the de- 
struction of private property. 

THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. 

In Article 10 is the Oath of Allegiance: — 

'T, A. B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may 
be) that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of 
America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully 
against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and ob- 
serve and obey the orders of the President of the United 
States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, 
according to the Rules and Articles for the government of 
the armies of the United States." 

The words "So help me God" are not added to the oath 
of the non-commissioned officer or soldier as given in this 
Article, but they appear in the Articles devoted to the mem- 
bers of the courts martial, as part of the oath. The Act 
which contained these Articles of War was approved April 
10, 1806. 



Grows' Journal: "Feb. 24, 1862, (About 9 a. m.) it 
began to blow a gale. In a short time the next tent to ours 
was blown down, then the one opposite. We jumped up 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 145 

and hung on to our tent pole. In a short time our stove 
pipe was blown down, and the lashings of our doors were 
torn off, but we made out to save our tent. Trees were torn 
up, and chimneys blown down and there is considerable 
damage done. After considerable work we got our tent 
secured, our stove up again, and a fire going. It is an awful 
cold evening and I expect it will be a howling night. The 
mud has dried up considerably in consequence of the wind 
blowing so hard all day. It is now freezing quite hard," 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 25, 1862, the Third and Fourth 
Detachments went to the Washington Arsenal, and ex- 
changed the two Howitzers for two 3 inch ten pounder 
Rodman guns." 

Grows' Journal : "Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1862, Yi past 8, 
went out to drill for one hour. After drill got permission 
to go o\-er to the 4th Michigan Regt. to change some bread 
for tobacco, for I was getting short of the weed. All the 
bread we have left over we sell to them for five cents a loaf, 
and get sugar, molasses, cheese, butter, and other articles. 
I had twelve spare loaves, so I got twelve heads of tobacco, 
which will last me some time. At 10 o'clock the drivers 
were called out to drill on the pieces, and it was amusing 
to see how awkward they were, for they never handled a 
sponge staff before, and we could see by their actions how 
green we looked the first time we began to drill. They will 
have to drill, as well as the cannoneers, so that in case of 
action men should be killed on the g'un, they will be able 
to fill their places. 

At I o'clock I went out to work on the pickets, and 
worked till 5. At 3 in the afternoon the Battery was called 
out iox drill, and stayed out till Yz past 4, when they re- 
turned to camp; the i8th Mass. and 44th New York were 
also out on drill. They made a splendid sight. A sergeant 
from Captain Griffin's battery has come over to drill the 
drivers in regard to harnessing and hitching out horses. 
He will probably remain with us for a week or ten days." 



146 HISTORY OF THE 

Letter of Lieut. Phillips, Feb. 27, 1862:— "This after- 
noon the Left section went off target shooting-, and did 
rather better than the last time we went. The Right and 
Centre sections went out in Battery drill under Captain 
Martin, and had a first rate drill. The i8th Regiment and 
Captain Martin's Battery are expecting marching orders 
tonight to go up the river to reinforce General Banks. 
Tattoo has just sounded, and we can hear a great cheering 
from their camp, so I suppose the orders have come. They 
leave their tents and carry 7 days' rations. I hear postal 
communication is stopped." 

Grows' Journal: "Feb. 27, 1862. After dinner was called 
out to go with a piece and act No 6 to cut the fuze. Took 
out two pieces with ten rounds of fuze shell and ten rounds 
of percussion shell in each limber box. Went out under 
the charge of Lieut. Kingsbury of Captain Griffin's regular 
battery, to Martin's Battery formerly Follett's (Third 
Mass.) and fired at a tree one and a half miles off. It being 
the first time I ever had an opportunity of seeing the effect 
of shell I took great interest in watching it. When they 
struck the ground they tore up large furrows in the dirt. 
The tree was struck two or three times, which stove it up 
considerable. After firing all our ammunition we started 
for home, most of us feeling rather tired, for the cannoneers 
had to walk both ways. It was some six miles to and from 
our camp. Got back to our quarters about ^ to 5. After 
supper sent five spare loaves of- bread over to the sutlers 
(He was eating rice instead of bread.) and got sugar for it. 
They charge 15 cts. a lb. for it so we got almost two lbs. of 
sugar. 

Friday Feb. 28. After breakfast an order was given to 
be ready at 8 o'clock to go, all hands, with the horses har- 
nessed in, the guns all ready, to Captain Griffin's Battery, to 
see if our names on the Pay Roll were all right, so we can 
be paid off. 

We left camp at >^ past 8, cannoneers dismounted, and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 147 

we had to walk all the way, about six miles. On our way 
we passed Martin's Battery. It is a splendid battery. They 
have a new battery of six heavy guns of brass. Also passed 
through the i8th ]\Iass., the 44th New York, 22d Mass., 
and the 9th Mass., Col. Cass's. After w-e arrived on the 
ground w'e were drawn up in line, and our names called off, 
upon which each man stepped three paces to the front. 
After the Roll was through w'e formed columns and, thank 
heaven, the order was given soon, 'Cannoneers Mount !' 
but those six miles were rough riding. I shall remember it 
for some time. At 3 in the afternoon went out for a 
mounted drill, stayed out one hour, then came in feeling 
awfully cold. It blows a perfect gale, and has for two days. 
A report in the camp that Gen. McClellan has the telegraph 
under his control so no news from the North can reach the 
South. (It had been the report until corrected, that letters 
could not go or come from the North for a week.) The 
mud is now most all dried up so in all probability there will 
be an advance made soon. 

Saturday March i. After breakfast went into the woods 
and cut some poles for a cook house, was called in at 9, and 
got ready for drill. After getting in the ranks I was in- 
formed that I must not turn out for I had been to w'ork. 
This pleased me very much. It is quite cozey inside, but 
outside it blows a gale. 

A new^s boy has just passed through the camp crying out : 
'Another Fight! General Banks' Division Cut to Pieces!' 
— It went through me like a shudder, but I hope it is not 
true. . . . Now see how^ \vt are decei\e(l. One of our men 
bought a paper, and in it w^as stated that the rebels were not 
within twenty-five miles of General Banks's pickets. So the 
boy made a good thing out of his papers, sold them for five 
cents a piece, and then left the camp. 

I saw for the first time since we have been on this side, a 
white woman. Lieut. Kingsburv with his wife and two 



148 HISTORY OF THE 

other ladies, passed through our camp. They were all on 
horseback and looked splendid. 

Got through working on the pickets about 4 in the after- 
noon. The men came in from drill about half an hour after. 
They were drilled by Captain Martin. We have lost an- 
other horse this day by lung fever." 

Diary of Lieut. Phillips: "March 2, 1862. Orderly G. 
H. Johnson resigned. . . . Sergt. F. A. Lull promoted 
Orderly vice Johnson. W. H. Peacock promoted Chief of 
Piece vice' l^nW., Geo. H. Johnson appointed wagoner vice 
Peacock. Corp. M. W. Page promoted Sergt. vice Patti- 
son. Corp. J. E. Spear promoted Gunner vice Page. Pri- 
vate C. C. Allen promoted Chief of Caissons vice Spear." 

The Battery had four sergeants capable of handling it, 
viz., Johnson, Lull, Wm. B. Pattison, and O. B. Smith; they 
having served in the First ]\Iass. Battery see p. 56 with 
the three months' men, and when the Battery commenced 
drilling under the tutelage of Lieut. Kingsbury and Sergt. 
Thomas Broderick, there was naturally a good deal of ad- 
verse criticism among the non-commissioned officers and 
pany officers, see p. 528 where Captain Phillips appoints new 
privates. Non-commissioned officers are appointed by com- 
sergeants and corporals, and as a punishment they may be 
reduced to the ranks. In this case, for criticising the ap- 
pointment of drill officers, Sergt. Wm. B. Pattison and 
Orderly Serg't. Geo. H. Johnson were reduced to the ranks. 

February 9th, 1863, Wm. B. Pattison was again made 
sergeant in the place of Serg't O. B. Smith, promoted to 
Orderly Sergeant, and at Gettysburg, see p. 639, was in 
charge of No. i. gun of the Right section commanded by 
Lieut. Scott. 

Grows' Journal : "March 2, 1862, at 10 o'clock turned out 
for inspection of clothing. After the drivers' articles were 
examined viz. two red blankets, one curry comb, brush, 
sponge, watering bucket, bridle and halter, next came the 
cannoneers' turn. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 149 

After waiting an hour General Porter passed through 
the camp. Then we were dismissed to our quarters, and we 
^vere glad, for it had commenced to snow. After dinner 
orders came to clean up our tents, for they will be inspected 
tomorrow forenoon by the Captain. I expect it will be 
rough on account of the mud. We could not very well go 
out on account of the storm, so we all sat down around the 
fire, smoking and talking about different things, home, etc. 

Monday March 3d. It is raining and hailing at times, 
making the travelling bad. Our wood being out we started 
for the woods and took some rails from a fence, broke them 
up, and they make a very hot fire. For the first time for a 
great while sat down to a game of euchre; played about an 
hour then went to work darning stockings. It was the 
first time I ever attempted it and I did make a dreadful job, 
but there is the first time for everything, so I took courage 
and on the second pair I did better than on the first; still 
they were sorrowful looking stockings, but we must put up 
with anything in war times! 

After supper a box came for one of the men in the tent. 
In it were pies, cake, meats, &c., and, my goodness, how we 
put into them, and had a most glorious time. The pies 
were immense, and the cakes huge. 

It is raining outside in torrents and it will be an awful 
night. 

At Roll Call this afternoon at 5 o'clock, we were in- 
formed that our gunner Mason W. Page is appointed ser- 
geant of the 3d. Detachment, Corporal Spear will take the 
place of Page, and C. C. Allen standard bearer of the 6th^ 
will take the place of Spear. On account of its being so 
stormy there was no 8 o'clock Roll Call, and we were glad 
enough, for our tent began to leak awfully : so we pinned up 
our rubber blankets over our heads to keep from getting 
wet, and then we turned in. There is about an inch of 
water in our tent, but as most of our beds are built up from 
the ground we shall get along very well. Those who lie on 



150 HISTORY OF THE 

the ground will have rather wet quarters. There is a great 
difference between having a good roof over our heads as we 
have at home, and the thin covering of canvas which we 
have here. After all there is no place like home, no matter 
how humble." 

Letter of Lieut. Phillips, March 4, 1862: ''My section 
went out target shooting today. The guns were placed on 
the top of Hall's Hill, right in front of Captain Martin's 
camp, and we shot a little to the right of Falls Church. 

This village consists of 8 or ten houses, and a little white 
meeting-house. We fired yy shots at trees and stumps, at 
distances of 500, 700, 1700, and 2000 yards. Most of the 
shots were very good." 

Grows' Journal: "Tuesday March 4th. Splendid, morn- 
ing. Ground frozen solid. Nice travelling. Called out at 
Yi past 9 for drill on gun. Stayed out one hour. Orders 
came after dinner for the drivers and cannoneers to turn out 
for a mounted drill. Went out and drilled one hour, and 
came in. The sun is out quite powerful and has started the 
mud so the travelling is quite bad, as the mud is about three 
inches deep and in some places it is a great deal worse. 

We received orders this afternoon to prepare ourselves 
for a start inside of five days. 

Wednesday March 5th. After breakfast I got a box and 
packed all my loose things that I did not need, and gave the 
box to the teamster to carry into the city, to be sent by 
Harnden's Express. We have had orders to have all the 
stuff that we cannot carry in our knapsacks sent home. We 
expect to make an advance to Budd's ferry to shell out two 
rebel batteries that are there. 

A portion of the cannoneers were detailed to pack their 
ammunition chests, to be prepared so to turn out for drill. 
Was visited by John Mann the Hospital Warden of the 
Mass. 9th Regt. Had a pleasant time talking over our 
school-boy days. Lie stopped and took dinner with us of 
fresh beef and soup. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 151 

We were ordered out for drill at | past 3, with 10 rounds 
of blank cartridges in our chests. After we w'ere mounted 
it began to blow and snow like fury and continued for about 
half an hour, then the clouds broke away, and the air began 
to be quite sharp. Went out on to the field and began to fire. 
Had considerable trouble with the horses on account of 
most of them never having been under fire before, but be- 
fore we had fired all our rounds they began to cool down 
to their work considerable. 

Came in at 4 o'clock. Helped the drivers unhitch, and 
then went to quarters. Sent ten loaves of spare bread over 
to the sutler, and received one pound of butter and five 
heads of tobacco. Had a good supper of bread and butter 
and cofi'ee. 

Two of the Detachments will go on to Vienna tomorrow 
or next day, for the purpose of protecting the Rail Road, 
which is being built. The rebels ripped up the track and 
built a large fire, and then heated the rails and bent them 
out of shape. The 9th Mass. Reg't. are out there on the 
same errand." 

Letter of Lieut. Phillips, March 6, 1862: — 
"We had a drill with the horses in the forenoon and after- 
noon, making considerable progress in artillery tactics. 
This afternoon while we were out drilling. General (John 
H.) Martindale's Brigade were drilling in the next field, 
making quite a show. They finally formed each regiment 
in a square with two guns, — Captain Martin's 12 pdrs. — in 
the intervals, and began shooting with blank cartridges in 
our direction. It struck me at the time that they looked 
very much as the enemy will when they begin shooting at 
that distance — 1200 yards. 

We fire with blank cartridges nearly every day, and the 
horses are getting used to the sound, though they jumped 
and kicked a great deal, when they first had to face the 
music. We have a few balky horses, that give us a little 
trouble once in a while, but they are gradually breaking in, 



152 HISTORY OF THE 

as they have to go along with four horses ahead of them, 
and it is of no use trying to break an artillery harness by 
kicking round. We get the news here in a very irregular 
manner. Some days we buy the New York papers at 5 cts. 
of some persevering newsman who makes a tour through 
the camp, but most of the time we have to trust to what is 
sent to us." 

Grows' Journal : 'Thursday March 6, 1862. Went to 
Roll Call at the usual hour. Am detailed for Rider on the 
Caissons, the swing team. Fed and watered the horses 
soon after. Went out to drill at 9, on the gun. After 
drilling one hour we were ordered to grease up and be ready 
for a start out. At >4 past 10 we were all harnessed, the 
cannoneers mounted, and the drivers standing 'To horse.' 
The order was given 'Mount' ! and I did, and out we went 
for drill. As it has been some time since I was in a saddle, 
it seemed quite odd. Came in at 12. After dinner order 
was turn out for drill at 2 o'clock, so I got ready to turn 
out again. At 2 we started, and instead of being the swing 
team I was put on the lead of the caisson. 

The off horse being a dangerous one I had to look out for ., 
him. After drilling about an hour, we began to fire blank I 
cartridges. My team stood well. We limbered up, and in 
a short time the off horse began his airs, which means rear- 
ing up and throwing himself on the rear horse and by this 
means he can throw the Rider out of the saddle. On ac- 
count of his actions I changed then into the swing team, 
in which he worked a great deal better. We then stayed 
out till 4, when we came in. On carrying our horses into 
the quarters, we found one of our horses dead. Had him 
opened, and found it was disease of the heart. 

Harry Simonds was detailed to take some men and bury 
him. 

Went to supper, and found that I was detailed for guard 
on the first relief, to go on immediately after the S o'clock 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 153 

Roll. Went on my post, came off at 7, and turned in to 
sleep till 1 1 when I shall be called again. 

Friday March 7th. Was called this morning at 5 to go 
on guard. At 6 the bugle sounded for the men to dress and 
come out for Roll. The time slipped away quite rapidly 
till 7 when I was relieved. By the new order that has been 
made, those that are detailed for guard are clear from all 
drill or other duty. So I pulled down my bed and turned in. 

Saturday ]\Iarch 8th. The Battery went out for drill this 
forenoon, and came in at half past eleven. The men are 
rapidly improving in drill and the horses are becoming 
more used to the firing. Our pickets were driven in last 
night, and the i8th Mass. have gone out today. They ex- 
pect to have a brush. We have heard today that we will 
have to move from here in a few days, but we cannot put 
much dependence on what we hear in camp." 

Letter of Lieut. Phillips : — 

"March 9, 1862: This has been the pleasantest day we 
have seen so far, warm and bright like a ]\Iay day in Mas- 
sachusetts. Lender foot there is a little mud, though this 
is slowly drying up. In the forenoon we had an inspection 
of the Battery teams hitched, knapsacks packed, &c. The 
whole of General Martindale's Brigade are encamped on the 
top of Hall's Hill, in the following order: — 

22(1 j\Liss. on the right, 2d Maine in the centre. i8th 
]\Iass. on the left, 3d Mass. Battery on the left of the 
i8th.". . . 

A RIDE TO FALLS CHURCH. 

"After this visit [a call on Captain Lewis E. Wentworth 
of the Sharpshooters attached to the 22d Reg't.] Hyde. 
Dillingham, and I started off on a ride to Falls Church, 
striking into a cart path in front of Captain Martin's Bat- 
tery. After a long and crooked journey we struck into the 
Alexandria and Leesburg turnpike, just beyond the village 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

of Falls Church. This road we found in excellent condi- 
tion, so we indulged our horses with a gallop through the 
village. 

Falls Church, on our right, is a large square brick church, 
without steeple or anything to denote its character. There 
is also a little white church built just as they build them in 
New England. The village itself is quite a pleasant little 
place, particularly from its contrast with the fenceless, tree- 
less, desolate region round our camp, and is the nearest 
approach to civilization we have seen for some time. After 
leaving the village we kept on over Upton's Hill, passing 
Mr. Upton's house on our left : on our right was a redoubt 
armed with some heavy siege guns, and some field pieces. 

The 20th N. Y. S. M. are encamped around Mr. Upton's 
house. 

From here we struck across country and soon came to 
what had once been a house but now nothing was left but 
the cellar. From appearances there must have been quite 
a place here once. We could still trace the bounds of the 
orchard and garden with walks and borders, flowers still 
growing, but all tangled and overgrown with weeds. 

The well was choked with stumps as if somebody had 
played the part of the dog in the manger. After moralizing 
a little while on this, we kept on our way towards Hall's 
Hill, where we arrived in time to witness the Dress Parade 
of the 1 8th Mass." 

Grows' Journal : "March 9th. A glorious morning. 
After breakfast took a walk around the stables. Found one 
of the horses dead, this making six we have lost since we 
have been here. Had 'inspection drill' with our knap- 
sacks, canteens, and haversacks, and we got enough of it 
for about two hours. When we went into park we were 
dismissed for service. Had some singing and reading 
from the 8th chapter of Matthew. 

When we were dismissed I immediately got a 'pass' to 
leave cam]), and went to the i8th Mass., the 22d Mass., 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 155 

and the Irish Reg't. the 9th. Visited the spot where some 
soldiers were buried, took portions of the head stones and 
brought them along with me to camp. 

Turned in at the usual hour, was called at 10 o'clock, and 
we were informed that we must get ready to make an ad- 
vance in the morning. So we began to pack our knapsacks, 
fill our canteens, and clean up our 'boarding knives.' The 
cooks began to cook our rations for three days. The men 
all seemed anxious to "-o." 



CHAPTER VI. 
THE ADVANCE UPON RICHMOND. 

"The despatches of a general . . . the safest sources from which the 
historian of a campaign can draw." 

— George Meredith. 

"Military despatches are often excellent reading — their very dry- 
ness and literalness in dealing with life and death, give them a special 
nlace in our literature." 

— Illustrated London News. 

It was expected that when the Division made a forward 
movement the Battery would go with it, but instead of 
that. Captain Ahen received the following order : — ■ 

Head Quarters Porter's Division 
Hall's Hill Va. 

March lo, 1862. 
Capt. Allen 

Comd'g Battery E. 
Mass. Artillery. 
Captain. 

The commanding General directs me to inform you that your Bat- 
tery will not move with the Division, but will be held in readiness to 
move at a moment's notice. 

Very respectfully 

Yr Obt. Serv't 

Fred T. Locke 
ass't adj. Gen'l. 

Notes of Lieut. Scott: — "About the 9th of March the 
Army moved on to Manassas. The Fifth Mass. Battery 
was not ordered out on this movement. The men of the 
Battery were in an excited condition. The Battery was of 
no account, would never see any fighting, might as well go 

156 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 157 

home. The commander, Captain Geo. D. Allen called the 
men into line, and said he would show them what to 
do, and they would get all the fighting they wanted before 
they were out of it." 

Grows' Journal: — "Monday morning March lo, 1862, 
a report came into camp for us to unpack our things, for 
we would not go with this advance. Oh how mad the men 
were ! There were our horses all ready, bedding done up, 
and tents ready to strike the first thing in the morning. So, 
we unpacked our things and made up our beds again. I 
laid down, but could not sleep on account of the passing of 
baggage teams, cavalry, and regiments of infantry by our 
camp; gathering together so as to start early in the morning. 
There will be a smart fight when they meet the rebels. 
After breakfast went on to the hill to see the regiments and 
batteries start. It soon began to rain like fury, but the 
brave men did not heed it and cheer after cheer went up, as 
they passed. 

Poor fellows! all of them will not return. 

In a short time John Mann of the gth came on horseback 
through our camp, on his way to Arlington for some amlm- 
lances for the wounded and sick. It now rains in torrents, 
the boys will have a hard day to march in, and when they 
get to their destination, which is supposed to be Manassas, 
if the rebels stand they will have a hard time there. 

After dinner took rations in our haversacks, packed our 
knapsacks with one shirt, i pair drawers, i pair socks, a 
blanket — on the outside my rubber and other woolen 
blanket. 

At precisely 2 o'clock the 'Assembly' sounded, and we 

turned out with knapsacks and equipments, marched to our 

^pieces and lashed them on. The drivers hitched in and 

|lwe stood 'cannoneers to posts,' and the drivers 'to horse,' 

and in this way we waited for three long hours for the order 



158 



HISTORY OF THE 



to advance on Manassas, but the order did not come, so 
we were all dismissed to our quarters. 

After supper went to the ammunition chests to see if they 
were packed right. Found everything in its place. Was 
told to get all the sleep I could, not knowing at what time 1 
might be called, and to sleep with m)^ arms, and what I had 
to carry, handy. The men all feel anxious to start. 

Thursday, March ii. Found out that we would not be 
wanted to-day. At 8 o'clock we w^ere called out for one 
hour's drill on the piece. Came in at half past 9. At 2 
o'clock we hitched out and started out for drill. Stayed out 
till 5 o'clock, and the men were "put through a course of 
sprouts" that was astonishing to some of them, but it 
showed the men and officers that they had a great deal to 
learn. Artillery drill cannot be learnt in a month, or three 
months. The drivers have to understand their horses, the 
men on the piece their part, and the horses have to get 
accustomed to the firing, which some never get used to. 

After supper news came into camp that our troops found 
Manassas evacuated. If this is true we will all be home in 
about a month." 

THE PRESIDENT'S ORDER: 



It'resident's War Order 
No 3. 



Executive Mansion 
Washington, March 11, 1862. 



Major General McClellan having personally taken the field at the 
head of the Armv of the Potomac until otherwise ordered, he is re- 
lieved from the command of the other military departments, he retain- 
ing command of the Department of the Potomac. 



Ordered, That all the commanders of Departments, after the receipt 
of this order by them, respectively report severally and directly to the 
Secretary of War, and that nrompt. full, and frequent reports will be 
expected of all and each of them. 

Abraham Lincoln. 
By Order of the Secretary of War, 

L. Thomas 
Adjutant General. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 159 

The next day General Porter telegraphed the following 

advice : — 

United States Military Telegraph 
Received March 12, 1862. 
From F (Fairfax) Court House. 

To Capt. Allen. 

Improve every moment for instruction of your company. I expect 
soon to call for it. Get your supplies of Capt. Cole, at Ft. Corcoran, 
who is ordered to provide you. 

F. J. Porter 
B. G. 

LETTER FROI^I LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Hall's Hill March 12, 1862. 

Last Monday morning the Army of the Potomac com- 
menced its grand progress to Richmond, and at last 
accounts has passed over 25 miles or so of its journey. For 
some unexplained reason, but in obedience to orders, the 
Fifth (Mass.) Battery remained behind and are now 
supreme on Hall's Hill. The tents are all left standing, 
and but for the unusual quiet we would suppose the army 
still here. The stillness which pervaded the air after the 
first bustle of departure, was quite startling, but at the 
same time quite pleasant. Yesterday was very warm and 
pleasant, the frogs and bluebirds ha\-e ccmimenced to sing, 
and it looks as if spring had come at last. 

Porter's Division are now occupying Fairfax Court 
House, and expect, — so the postmaster of the 2d Maine 
told me, — to be ordered back. 

The first to occupy Manassas, as I hear, were the 3d and 
5th Penn. Cavalry who have been encamped between us and 
Fort Corcoran. 

The latest rumor is that General Porter's Division is to 
join General Burnside. Our Quartermaster reports a num- 
ber of gunboats and passenger steamboats at the Arsenal in 
the City, so that it looks as if this were the case. The reb- 
els have done pretty well at Norfolk. The attack of the 



160 HISTORY OF THE 

Merrimac shows more dash than I had g-iven them credit 
for. though I do not see why they did not make a dash for 
the open sea where they could have done so much more 
liarm." 



Grows' Journal : "March 12, 1862. After breakfast I re- 
packed the shot and shell in the ammunition chests, and 
found that everything about the Gun was all right, then 
went to quarters. In about an hour went out to drill on 
the piece. Came in about 11 o'clock. Laid back for a 
smoke and a read. At 2 o'clock the call for the Battery to 
turn out was sounded, and as I thought a horse-back ride 
would do me good, I took a pair and went out, but I had 
to dismount and take my place on the Gun on account of 
the off horse being ugly. He is a condemned one and will 
be changed soon. Came into camp at 5 o'clock. After 
supper we were ordered to be ready at a minute's notice 
to go on to Fairfax to guard it, as it has been taken from 
the rebels. Five prisoners passed through our camp today 
on the way to Washington. They were taken yesterday. 
They were a sorrowful looking set. Our men are all in good 
spirits and first rate health. Two of the men were put on 
guard for three days for disobeying orders by laughing and 
talking after lights were out, it being the rule of the camp 
to have no noise in camp after the 'Taps.' 

Thursday March 13, 1862: After dinner all the men 
turned out and cleaned up the Park. Had a good time 
collecting the brush and loose stuff together in large piles 
and setting fire to them. Stayed out about two hours." 



The first formation of the Army of the Potomac was by 
■'Divisions," under an order of October 15, 1861, but before 
active movements began in the spring of 1862, it was di- 
vided into Army Corps in accordance with the following 
General Order : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 161 

Headquarters }\rmy of the Potomac 

r , ^ , Fairfax C. H. Va. March 13, 1862. 

General Order 

No. loi 

In compliance with the President's War Order No 2 of March 8 
' 1862, the active portion of the Army of the Potomac is formed into 
Army Corps as follows: 

1 1st Corps. Major General Irvin McDowell to consist for the present 
of the Divisions of Franklin, McCall and King 
2d Corps. Brig. Gen. E. V. Sumner, Divisions Richardson, Blenker 

and Sedgwick. 
3d Corps. Brig. Gen. S. P. neintzelman. Divisions F. J. Porter, 

Hooker, and Hamilton. 
4th Corps. Brig. Gen. E. D. jxeyes, divisions Couch, Smith and Casey 
5th Corps. Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, Divisions Williams and Shields. 
By command of 

Major Gen. McClellan. 
a. v. colburn, 
A. A. G. 

March 13, 1862, a council composed of Corps Com- 
manders McDowell, Sumner, Heintzelman and Keyes, de- 
termined upon adopting Fortress Monroe as the base of op- 
erations for the movement upon Richmond. General Fitz 
John Porter's command was assigned to the Third Army 
Corps, and placed first in the order of Divisions. 

The artillery attached to this Division was Battery D, 

5th U. S. Captain Charles Griffin, Third Mass. Battery, 

I Captain Augustus P. Martin, Battery C, ist R. L Captain 

i William B. Weeden, Fifth Mass. Battery, Captain Geo. D. 

Allen. 

■ Lt. Col. Wm. H. Powell says in his history of the Fifth 
porps: — "Captains Weeden, Martin and Allen were able 
mpils and co-workers under such a chief as Griffin," and 
?d Lt. Charles A. Phillips said at the time that Rhode 
sland shared with Massachusetts pre-eminence in Volun- 
eer Artillery. 



162 HISTORY OF THE 



THE GUNS. 

Captain Griffin had six lo pdr. Parrotts. 

Captain Martin had six Light 12 pdrs. 

Captain Weeden had six 3 in. Rifled Iron Guns. 

Captain Allen had six 3 in. Rifled Iron Guns. 

Each Division had the same artillery. 

In the organization of the Army of the Potomac the 
Regiment was the unit. Four Regiments constituted a 
Brigade, and three Brigades a Division. Each Division 
had four batteries, three served by volunteers and one by 
regulars; the captain of the latter commanding the entire 
artillery of the Division. The regulars were not distributed, 
but were kept together in Divisions by themselves. 

It has been said that in the constitution of this Army 
McClellan's intimate acquaintance with European tactics 
became of very great value and assistance. General Wm. F. 
Barry in his report states that the whole of the field artillery 
of the Division of the Potomac July 25th, 1861, when 
General McClellan was appointed to the command, was 
comprised in nine imperfectly equipped batteries of 30 guns, 
650 men, and 400 horses. In March 1862, after an interval 
of seven months it consisted of 92 batteries, 520 guns, 
12,500 men and 10,000 horses. Of the whole force 62 bat- 
teries belonged to the Volunteer service. 

McCLELLAN'S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac 

Fairfax Court House, Va. 

March 14, 1862. 
Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: 

For a long time I have kept you inactive, but not without a purpose. 
You were to be disciplined, armed, and instructed. The formidable 
artillery you now have had to be created. Other armies were to move 
and accomplish certain results. I have held you back that you might 
give the death-blow to the rebellion that has distracted our once happy 
country. The patience you have shown, and your confidence in your 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 163 

General, are worth a dozen victories. These preliminary results are 
now accomplished. I feel that the patient labors of many months have 
produced their fruits. The Army of the Potomac is now a real Army, 
— magnificent in materiel, admirable in discipline and instruction, ex- 
cellently equipped and armed. Your commanders are all that I could 
wish. The moment for action has arrived, and I know that I can trust 
in you to save our country. As I ride through your ranks I see in 
your faces the sure presage of victory : I feel that you will do whatever 
I ask of you. The period of inaction is passed. I will bring you now 
face to face with the rebels and only pray that God may defend the 
right. In whatever direction you may move, however strange my ac- 
tions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate is linked with 
yours and that all I do, is to bring you where I know you wish to be, 
— on the decisive battle field. It is my business to place you there. 
I am to watch over you as a parent over his children, and you know 
that your General loves you from the depths of his heart. It shall be 
my care, as it has ever been, to gain success with the least possible 
loss, but I know that if it is necessary, you will willingly follow me to 
our graves, for our righteous cause. 

God smiles upon us, victory attends us. Yet I would not have you 
think that our aim is to be attained without a manly struggle. I will 
not disguise it from you. You have brave foes to encounter, foemen 
well worthy of the steel that you will use so well. I shall demand of 
you great, heroic exertions, rapid and long marches, desperate com- 
bats, privations, perhaps. We will share all these together ; and when 
this sad war is over, we will all return to our homes, and feel that we 
can ask no higher honor than the proud consciousness that we belonged 
to the Army of the Potomac. 

Geo. B. McClellan, 
Major General Commanding. 

THE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA. 

The Peninsula of Virginia lies between the James and 
York Rivers; which, running nearly parallel from the 
northwest, empty into Chesapeake Bay. 

Fortress Monroe occupies the extremity of the Peninsula, 
and is connected with the main portion only by a narrow 
sand beach. See p. 109. The extreme length, from the fort 
to a line drawn between Richmond and West Point, is about 
60 miles, the average breadth about 12. At Yorktown, 
twenty miles up the river it is narrowed to 8 miles, which 
width remains the same as far as Williamsburg where the 



164 HISTORY OF THE 

rivers begin to diverge. The land is flat and low, covered 
with swampy forests, 

Yorktown was a dilapidated village of about 50 houses. 
The only tavern in the place, situated on a bluff, the high- 
est point of land on the Peninsula below Richmond, was 
called the Nelson House and was originally owned by Gov- 
ernor Thomas Nelson. The bulk of the Confederate force 
lay at and near Centreville and Manassas, drawing its sup- 
plies mainly from Richmond by way of the Orange and 
Alexandria railroad. On hearing of the order for the Fed- 
eral forces to move upon Richmond by the way of the 
Peninsula, the Confederate general Beauregard called back 
his corps of observation, who occupied the works at Cen- 
treville, destroyed the bridges over Bull Run, and falling 
back on Manassas which he evacuated on the lOth of March, 
burned everything which he could not carry away. 

The Army of the Potomac commenced its march on the 
loth as stated, but they went no farther than Centreville, 
General McClellan with his escort fording Bull Run and 
riding on to Manassas, found it as anticipated an abandoned 
ruin. 

THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. 

In the plan of the Peninsula campaign, Richmond was 
to be reached by the way of Yorktown and West Point, 
The first object was to capture Yorktown by a combined 
naval and military attack, then to establish West Point, 
about 25 miles from Richmond, as the new base, 

Centreville was a village of a few straggling houses built 
along a ridge at the confluence of the Warrenton turnpike, 
which runs west and crosses Bull Run at the Stone Bridge, 
and another southwest crossing Bull Run at Blackburn's 
Ford, leading direct to Manassas Junction three miles be- 
yond Bull Run, and connectine by cross-roads with the 
different fords above and below. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 165 

The works at Centreville and Manassas were laid out by 
the Confederate general Beauregard. At Centreville they 
consisted of two lines. One faced east, a mile and three- 
quarters long, the other, two miles long, faced north. In 
both were 13 distinct forts connected by "infantry para- 
pets," double caponnieres (covered lodgements) and "re- 
dans" (portions of the fortification included in single salient 
angles). There were embrasures for 71 guns. On a high 
hill commanding the rear of both lines, was a large "re- 
doubt" (an isolated fort defensible on all sides) with 10 
embrasures. Manassas was defended in all directions by a 
system of detached works, with platforms for heavy guns, 
arranged for massive carriages and connected by "infantry 
parapets"; the system being rendered complete by a very 
large work with 16 embrasures commanding the highest of 
the other works by about 50 feet. The works at Manassas 
had been mounted with guns. Those at Centreville had 
been merely laid out ; but no heavy artillery had been placed 
in them, and for w-eeks they had been occupied only by a 
corps of observation ready to fall back upon any alarm. 



MANASSAS JUNCTION. 

The Orange and Alexandria Railroad runs southwest 
through the flat Potomac region for 27 miles, when it meets 
the Manassas Gap Railroad which runs west for 50 miles to 
Strasburg in the valley of the Shenandoah River, then south 
for 20 miles down the valley. The place where these two 
roads, the Orange and Alexandria and the Manassas Gap 
Railroad meet is high ground, and is called Manassas Junc- 
tion. There was a station, merely, with a few scattering 
houses. From Manassas which was considered the key of 
the direct route to the south, the distance to Washington 
was about 30 miles. 

Southwest of Manassas Junction at Warrenton Junction 



166 HISTORY OF THE 

a branch road run to Warrenton. At Rappahannock Sta- 
tion the train crossed the Rappahannock River on the way 
to Culpeper Court House, passed over the Rapidan River 
to Orange Court House and stiU farther southwest to 
Lynchburg via Gordonsville and Charlottesville. 



Grows' Journal: "Friday March 14, 1862, At Yz past 
8 went out for drill. Came in at 10, and then went to work 
packing ammunition chests, so if we are called we will be 
all ready to start. I do not think we will go until we are 
better drilled. If we do it will be to guard the place. Had 
dinner of 'Duff' and molasses with water to drink. It tasted 
first rate, but there was not enough of it, so we have been 
promised some for dinner tomorrow. At 2 o'clock we went 
out for drill, the men on the guns dismounted. Had a good 
drill. A slight accident happened to Harry Simonds. 
While we were firing his horse reared up and fell over on 
him, jamming his side, but in a short time he was able to 
mount his horse again, and take care of his Detachment. 

Came in after drilling about two hours. We fired 17 
rounds of blank cartridges. The men are improving in drill 
very fast. Am detailed for guard tonight on the 3d relief 
the worst one there is to be on. Laid down to get some rest 
but could not sleep there was so much noise. Was called 
at 9 o'clock to go on guard. It began to rain. It is a rough 
night. While on guard about 8000 cavalry passed our 
camp. It was a splendid sight. They were returning from 
Manassas and Centreville. The rebels have left the place 
in a hurry. They had wooden guns mounted in place of 
cannon, to deceive our troops. Came in at 11 from guard, 
made a fire in the tent and turned in." 

MARCHING ORDERS. 

Friday night at 12 o'clock March 14, 1862, the Fifth 
Mass. Battery received their orders. 

"We are ordered to move on Sunday, tomorrow," wrote 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 167 

Lieut. Phillips on the 15th, "to Cloud's Mills, near Alex- 
andria, with three days' cooked rations. We shall have two 
wagons and as little baggage as possible. One tent is al- 
lowed for the officers, the men sleeping under the tarpau- 
lins which cover the guns and caissons. I saw Adjutant 
Sherwin [Thomas Sherwin Jr.] of the 22d Mass. last night, 
and he said that they were breaking up camp and expecting 
to move this morning. Part of their baggage is on the 
steamboat at Alexandria. Sherwin reports that the whole 
of Porter's Division embark at Alexandria for some un- 
known destination perhaps to reinforce Burnside. A long 
train of wagons went by here last night bound to Washing- 
ton. All the sick have been sent to Washington. The two 
Pennsylvania Cavalry regiments which were the first to 
enter Manassas returned to their camp last night, and ex- 
pect to leave soon in some other direction. After receiving 
our marching orders it set in for the hardest rain storm 
of the season, and we have been making our preparations 
with a most dismal prospect ahead. Rations were cooked, 
knapsacks packed, tents, camp equipage &c. invoiced and 
turned over to the U. S. Quartermaster at Fort Corcoran, 

I sent my trunk home, packed my knapsack and saddle- 
bags, hung my feed bag on my saddle, and made all my 
preparations. 

In the mean time the rain continued, the park was all 
afloat, and our tent nearly so. Somehow the water found 
an entrance at our front door, and soon we had a small 
brook running across the floor, and out at the back door. 
To prevent this making it too muddy, we confined it to a 
narrow channel, and Scott and I by way of variety whittled 
out some water wheels which were soon running merrily. 
Meanwhile both night and rain were falling, and the rations 
were all cooked, and their delivery commenced. Before 
this was completed, however, up rode an orderly with new 
orders to delay our departure till further orders, as the 
roads were impassable." At the close of this letter Phillips 



168 HISTORY OF THE 

refers to being "the other day out target shooting" with his 
"revolver." 



Grows' Journal: "Saturday March 15, 1862. Was called 
at 3 this morning to go on guard. Made out after a fashion 
to worry out the two hours till 5 o'clock when I was relieved 
and went to my quarters and laid down, but could not sleep, 

as the Bugle sounded at 6 the 'Reveille.' Went on again at 
9, was relieved at 1 1 o'clock. At 3, was called to go on 
my beat. I stayed on about an hour, and then I had to knock 
under and go to my tent. Stayed in and packed my knap- 
sack, for we have been ordered to break camp at 4 tomor- 
row morning, to start for Alexandria. . . . The men were 
called into line soon after and told to have their knapsacks 
ready and fill our haversacks with two days' rations, and 
fill our canteens with water. We had just got all our things 
ready when word came that we would not start tomorrow 
on account of the rain. We were pleased, for it would be 
a rather disagreeable march in the rain, but we expect to go 
Monday or Tuesday. After putting our things away, we 
began to see how we could fix our beds so that we could 
sleep. About three inches of water in our tent and the can- 
vas leaks like fury. We pinned our rubber blankets up over 
the beds, made them up, turned in, and then laid rubber 
blankets over them, and in this way we went to bed, the 
rain pouring in torrents on our beds. 

Sunday March 16. We now think we will not start 
before Tuesday. We expect to go to Sewall's Point off 
Fortress Monroe. About Yz past 4 a message came, in- 
forming us that we will not start tomorrow. About 5 the 
Battery were called together for Sunday services. The 
singing sounded splendid. The Captain (Allen) read the 
9th chapter of Matthew and then closed the service. 

Monday, March 17th. Our Orderly Sergeant went at 4 
o'clock this morning to Fairfax Court House to receive 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 169 

some orders, but as yet we do not know what they are. At 
Roll Call at 5 o'clock we were informed that we would 
break camp in the morning to proceed to Alexandria and 
there take boats to go somewhere, but where we do not 
know." 

THE EMBARKATION. 

On ]\Iarch 17th, 1862, the Army of the Potomac com- 
menced the embarkation, leaving 70,000 men for the de- 
fense of Washington. 

On the i8th, the Fifth Mass. Battery left camp at Hall's 
Hill, and marched to join Porter's Division which after 
making its advance on Manassas had turned back to Alex- 
andria Heights. 

They marched via Ball's and Bailey's Cross Roads, and 
arrived about 2 p. m. at "Camp California," near Alexan- 
dria, Va., and midway between Fairfax Seminary and Fort 
Ellsworth. Here they pitched their camp with only one 
tent, all outside of that depending for shelter upon rubber 
blankets, and prepared for embarking, destination unknown. 
Troops were all around them and Griffin's and Martin's Bat- 
teries were close by. The 83d. Penn., which was next to 
them at Hall's Hill was next them there. 

Grows' Journal : "Tuesday March 18, 1862. A fine feel- 
ing morning. Had a light breakfast of coffee and bread, 
then lashed our knapsacks on the pieces, leaving our tents, 
and other articles such as stoves, behind, for we cannot 
carry them. 

At 9 o'clock this morning the order was given, 'For- 
ward !' and the first step was taken in the march, for we had 
to walk all the way, 9 miles. We took the road to Alexan- 
dria, and by mistake went some four miles out of the way. 
... On the way we had in some places to build up parts of 
the road where it had been washed away. The roads here 
are in a very bad state, but are a great deal better than they 



170 HISTORY OF THE 

have been. At 3 in the afternoon we struck the ground 
where we are to stop tonight, about i^ miles from the city 
of Alexandria, 

After eating a little, and getting cleaned up, for we were 
very dusty, we began to make some preparations for sleep- 
ing, but as we have no tents, we stuck one covering of the 
gun up on poles, crawled in under, laid on the ground, and 
soon got to sleep. 

Wednesday, March 19. Got up feeling quite sore and 
stiff. As we had nothing to eat, I went over to Martin's 
Battery and got some fried potatoes, some good white bread 
and about a quart of nice, hot cofifee. About >4 past 9 our 
quartermaster got some coffee for the men. Soon after we 
were called out to drill. Stayed out about an hour, and 
then we had to wash the carriages and pieces, which took 
us till dinner time. Had dinner of hard bread and water. 
This afternoon began fixing for a place to sleep; arranged 
a bed for a fellow named Joe Knox and myself. Had sup- 
per of hot coffee and hard bread. Was put on guard to take 
care of one of our drivers' horses." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"The hills and valleys are covered with camps, most of 
them, like our own, supplied with very scant equipage. We 
have one tent for the officers, which at the present moment 
contains all five, getting along very comfortably. Scott is 
writing a letter on the same box as I. and the Captain 
(Allen) is cutting a quill preparatory to doing the same 
thing. The men have pitched the tarpaulins between the 
carriages, making three tents to hold fifty apiece, so that 
they get along as well as we do. We expect to embark 
within two days for some great expedition. General Sum- 
ner's Division went down today, and several more are wait- 
ing to go. Where we shall bring up I do not know, but 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 171 

from the preparations going on the expedition must be in- 
tended to finish the Rebellion. 

Large quantities of provisions have been sent lately to 
Fortress Monroe, which would look like an attack upon 
Richmond up the James or York River, or we may be going 
to join Burnside. 

Last night we went on a serenading excursion. The 44th 
N. Y. [Ellsworth Avengers] to which we have been as- 
signed for hospital purposes, have taken great interest in 
our Battery. The hospital is in a house close to our camp 
owned by a Mr. Osborne. In the evening we got together 
the musical crowd, and went up to the house with a band of 
an accordeon and a banjo. We were invited in and -got 
some apples and cakes. Then we had a little music and 
adjourned to the kitchen for a clog dance by Mr. Joseph 
Clark, banjo player and clog dancer for the Battery. 

After a few jigs and breakdowns we went home and 
went to bed. 

]Mr. Osborne is quite a brick, a very strong union man. 
At one time the rebel pickets occupied the bushes across 
the road in front of his house, and used to blaze away at him 
at every opportunity. He offered to sell his hay to the gov- 
ernment, but they thought it too dangerous to send wagons 
after it, so he carted it himself, exposed all the while to the 
rebel fire. His wagon was hit several times but he escaped. 

Thursday evening March 20, 1862, Alexandria Heights: 
The 3d Michigan moved up close by us yesterday being 
ordered to get as near Alexandria as possible. Fort Ells- 
worth, as near as I can make out, is a square bastioned fort 
like Fort Corcoran, rather larger, constructed strictly ac- 
cording to theoretical rules. 

We are encamped on a little hill, the one tent being 
pitched on the summit. For this purpose we picked out the 
tightest tent in camp, the one which I have always had, and 
inside of this are the jolliest crowd of ofBcers that can be 
found. Our baggage is limited, but we get on without. 



172 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Allen occupies the back of the tent on a bedstead 
which we have managed to bring so far, Hyde and DilHng- 
ham make up their bed on one side, while Scott and I make 
up ours on the other. 

Two rubber blankets constitute the foundations, then 
come our bed sacks filled with hay, and our blankets finish 
off. We get along first rate though we pull off the blankets 
a great deal. The principal article of furniture is the com- 
pany desk which was put in here as there was no other tent 
to put it in: coats, sabres, haversacks, canteens, dishes, 
valises, knapsacks, boxes, saddles, opera glasses, &c &c. On 
the whole we are pretty full. The men have quite a variety 
of substitutes for tents. Some take the tarpaulins which 
cover the guns : each of which is large enough to accommo- 
date lo or 15 men; some use their rubber ponchos [rubber 
blankets with holes in the middle] which make a very good 
pleasant weather tent. Each poncho is about 5 ft. by 4, and 
four of them make a tent large enough to hold four men 
lying or sitting. This is the prevalent style of tent round 
here : the 83d Penn. between us and the Fort, are quartered 
in them, also the 3d Michigan on the other side of us. The 
17th New York are encamped just beyond the 83d Penn., 
with the same accommodations. We received yesterday 
the news of the capture of Newberne. 

Lt. Kingsbury seems to have left us. When the advance 
was made last week he was ordered to join his Battery and 
has been with them ever since. When we came here he was 
over here for about five minutes and that is all. It rained 
all last night and all today, and the General Commanding 
has authorized us to issue a ration of whiskey to the men, 
which has accordingly been done, without any bad effects 
as far as I have seen. 

Martin's Battery have been encamped with Martindale's 
brigade, Weeden's with Morell's, and we have had most to 
do with the 44th N. Y. (Ellsworth's Avengers) a fine regi- 
ment who led the advance at Manassas. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. I73 

Captain Griffin has been appointed Chief of Artillery for 
the Division. I hear that Porter's Battery [First Mass. Lt. 
Art'y] in Franklin's Division, and McDowell's Corps (ist) 
are to embark today, and the General Order No. 10 1, or- 
dered the whole of a corps to be kept together, so at least 
two corps are going on the proposed expedition. The num- 
ber of troops right round here is estimated anywhere from 
20,000 to 150,000. 

At present we are living not very luxuriously, making 
up our beds on the ground, and eating hard tack and salt 
pork." 



Grows' Journal: "Thursday, March 20, 1862. Was 
awakened by the rain this morning. Found my hair quite 
wet from the rain falling on my head during the night. 
Some of the men had to sit up all night on account of the 
rain, for all the tents we have is a piece of canvas laid upon 
two poles, and the water runs under like a sluiceway. Had 
dinner of fresh beef and potatoes, after which I went to 
Porter's Battery." 

About 8 a. m. of Friday, March 21st they marched to 
Alexandria Va., and waited in the street until 3 p. m. for 
the Fourth R. I. Battery to embark, then commenced put- 
ting their guns on board the same propeller, the "A. H. 
Bowman." About six p. m. they were ready to load the 
horses on the schooners "Louisa Reed" and "Ida De la 
Torre." This was accomplished about 10 o'clock and after 
taking on some of the horses they were to have from the 
18th Mass. Regt. to complete their number, they found 
quarters for themselves on board a canal boat which was 
loaded with the baggage of the two batteries. 

Grows' Journal: "Friday March 21, 1862. Were called 
at 6 and ordered to pack our knapsacks and be ready to 
start at 8 o'clock. Went to work on empty stomachs. Got 
two days' rations in our haversacks. Marched on foot 9 



174 HISTORY OF THE 

miles to that nest of secession Alexandria. Waited till 2 
in the afternoon before we got aboard. While here I vis- 
ited the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed by 
Jackson. This is a hard looking place. Our Battery was 
joined by Griffin's, Martin's and the Rhode Island Fourth. 
We all got aboard and I turned in under one of the guns, 
using the sponge staff for a pillow, and the deck for a bed. 
Was called at 1 1 o'clock to go on guard on the barge which 
had all our stores on. How it did rain! Stood up against 
the mast. On account of the corporal being sick I called 
my man at i o'clock." 

THE SAILING OF THE FLEET. 

Notes of Lieut. Phillips. 

"March 22, 1862, at 4 a. m., Scott and I had to get up 
and look after some new horses which we have received 
from the i8th Mass. Regt. By daylight we got them all 
on board, and with the rest of the fleet dropped into the 
stream. 

Captain Allen and Lt. Hyde went on the propeller, Lt. 
Dillingham on the 'Ida De la Torre,' Scott on the canal 
boat, and I on the 'Louisa Reed.' 

After a good deal of backing and filling the fleet got 
ready to start. There are some 96 vessels in all. About 12 
o'clock we started, the flagship 'Daniel Webster' leading 
the way. 

We had been assigned a place near the head of the col- 
umn, but the 'A. H. Bowman' being unable to keep it, soon 
fell behind. The 'Bowman' towed the two schooners, the 
'Ida De la Torre' on the starboard, the 'Louisa Reed' on the 
larboard side. The 'Hero' took the canal boat, with our 
baggage, and went out of sight in a very short time. Dil- 
lingham has charge of one schooner and I of the other, 
Captain Allen and Lt. Hyde look after the steamer, and 
Scott has gone off in the canal boat. The 'Bowman' is so 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 175 

slow that we have dropped behind everything. I quarter in 
the captain's state room and the men sleep on the hay in the 
hold. The fare on board is good and we have a jolly time. 

At night we anchored in the Potomac river. The next 
day all went well, beautiful weather and the whole fleet 
ahead of us. 

Before daylight on the 24th we anchored off Fortress 
Monroe. While waiting to disembark I took the schooner's 
boat and rowed round the Monitor. As soon as we came in 
sight of the fort I commenced looking for the Monitor, and 
pretty soon I espied a puff of smoke, and a box on a raft, 
lying up in the Roads among the fleet. 

We rowed round close to her and I counted some 20 shot 
marks all over her, five or six in the turret, some of them 
very near the portholes, and the rest along her sides. The 
one which had made the most impression struck about three 
feet from the bows near the upper edge of the side, and 
dented in the side plate about tw^o inches, started the rivets 
and knocked up the deck plate. The other shots had made 
more or less impression : those which struck the middle of 
the plates merely denting them an inch or so, and those 
which struck near the edges, driving in the plates and start- 
ing the rivets, breaking the heads off. However, no seri- 
ous damage was done. 

About noon we had our Battery landed and took up our 
line of march. Passing by Fortress Monroe we kept on 
over the bridge to the main land, and on through what was 
once the main street of Hampton, but now only a road 
between ruined houses. For half a mile the road was lined 
with walls and chimneys, but only two w^hole houses were 
in sight. Just beyond the village we came to General Por- 
ter's Head Quarters; then we passed the camp of General 
Porter's and Hamilton's Divisions. Still on we kept, till 
we came to Captain Martin's battery encamped in a large 
field on the right of the road. Here we turned in and 
pitched our camp. A deserted and ruined house furnished 



176 HISTORY OF THE 

us with firewood and flooring and soon our camp fires were 
blazing merrily. 

Nims Battery, (Ormand F. Nims) Mass. Art'y, is two 
miles back, but nobody is in front of us, save a few pickets. 
We start again tomorrow, to fight or not, who knows? 

Captain Grifiin's Battery arrived soon after we did, and 
Captain Weeden's has just come. We have a pleasant 
camping ground, level as a barn floor. The camp fires and 
the variety of tents give quite a picturesque appearance to 
the scene. The rest of the Division is a mile back of us." 

The little village of Hampton referred to by Lieut. Phil- 
lips, was burned by Magruder, on seeing in a northern news- 
paper that the Federal forces contemplated occupying the 
town as winter quarters, to prevent its falling into the 
hands of General Benjamin F. Butler. 

From his Head Quarters on the Back River road he 
designated four companies, two of infantry and two of cav- 
alry, to proceed there at night. Each company fired one- 
quarter of the town as divided at the cross streets, and it 
soon became one mass of flames. 

The Monitor was launched on the 30th of January 1862, 
and was lost in a gale off Cape Hatteras the 30th day of 
December, just eleven months after she was launched. 

Grows' Journal: "Saturday March 22, 1862. Went into 
the wheel house and tried to get a little sleep but could not, 
the roof leaked like a sieve. I was about wet through. At 
last daylight came and I was very hungry. I went aboard 
a barge alongside and got the cook to give me a cup cf 
coffee, which put new life into me. At 9 in the forenoon 
we were under way. The men were on the steamer 'A. H. 
Bowman' having two schooners with the horses aboard in 
tow. They lead the way. Myself and 8 others were left 
to guard the barge as all the provisions are on this boat. 
So I shall live well enough. 

It was a sight to see. Thirty-thousand men embarked 
and sailed down the river together. The 'Nellie Baker' of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 177 

Boston, is one of the boats carrying troops. As soon as we 
got well under way we began to look around for something 
to eat. I got some sugar, bread, coffee, and beans, and we 
had a glorious time, 8 of us, sitting down to a breakfast of 
stewed beans, hot coffee, bread and butter. 

I went down between decks, and made up a splendid 
place to sleep when night came. 

On the trip down the river we passed several old rebel 
batteries, also ]\Iount Vernon the home of Washington. 
The view on the Potomac is splendid. Also passed Fort 
Washington and were loudly cheered by the men. . . . The 
freight lx)ats were the 'Herald' one barge and schooner in 
tow, 'Savage' one schooner, 'Hero,' one boat, one barge, 
'Propeller' two schooners, 'Curlew' one schooner and one 
barge, 'A. H. Bowman' two schooners in tow. Four U. S. 
gunboats and one tug accompanied the expedition. 

Sunday, March 23d. We are anchored in Hampton 
Roads in sight of Fortress Monroe. The celebrated iron 
steamer 'Monitor' is near us. She is being repaired. She 
was some hurt in the conflict with the 'Merrimac' Had 
hot coffee and hard bread and 'scouse' for breakfast. We 
can see with a glass the rebel flag on the other side. Had 
hot biscuit, flap-jacks, and hot coffee for supper. 

Monday, March 24th. About 9 this morning, our men 
in the steamer began to land. Some of them came aboard, 
and they told us that they were about starved. Made some 
coffee for them, and got some raw salt pork, and, my lord ! 
how they did eat. Three more boat loads came alongside 
and we fed them. 

Some of us took a boat and went alongside of the 'Mon- 
itor.' She is a very peculiar looking craft being only 15 
inches out of water but drawing 9 feet of water. She is 
cased with steel plates five inches thick. She carries two 
guns, 184 pounders, in a revolving tower on deck. There 
are several more vessels of the same kind under way and will 
soon be completed. 



178 HISTORY OF THE 

At half past one I landed on the wharf at Fortress Mon- 
roe, and began to help unload the guns. At 3 o'clock the 
Bugle sounded 'Forward !' and we began our march for our 
camp ground for the night. Passed through the once flour- 
ishing place of Hampton. There is nothing left now but 
blackened walls and ruins. . . . Some of the ruins left 
show marks of once being splendid buildings. We are 
quite near the enemy, and our orders are to advance to 
Yorktown. The Division I am in consists of 125,000 men. 
Arrived at our camp ground about sundown, and began to 
make and pitch our tents for the night. We take two 
'poncho' rubber blankets and put them together, and make 
a tent large enough for two to sleep in; Joe Knox and my- 
self sleeping together. 

Tuesday morning March 25th. About ^ past 8 the order 
came to advance. Struck our little tents, and at 9 were 
ready to start, but had to wait for 5,000 infantry to pass. 
At half past 10 we began our march forward, and arrived 
at our destination in about an hour. We are now stationed 
to guard the bridge connecting Hampton and Newmarket. | 
This bridge has been the bone of contention between the 
rebels and our troops for some time. In case our troops are 
driven back we can shell the enemy back. There are now 
five rebel Regiments within 2^ miles of us. We have re- 
ceived orders not to leave our camp ground, but be on the 
lookout all the timxC, for on the sight of any armed men 
coming down the road, we are to fire on them. Our pieces 
are all loaded, and when we turn in at night, we are al- 
lowed to take off only our jackets and boots, so we can be 
ready, in case of an alarm in the night. One of our men 
left camp this afternoon, and was fired upon by one of our 
pickets for crossing the line; the way he came into camp 
was a caution. Have heard considerable firing during the 
day. It has been a glorious day. Have had to throw off 
jackets and go around in our shirt sleeves, it has been so 
warm. Went to Roll Call at 8, and a more splendid sight 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 179 

I never saw than the camp was, lit up with large fires. We 
have plenty of wood and water. There was a large 'Secesh' 
house near by when we arrived here this morning, but to- 
night there is nothing left but the chimney. The men and 
officers have used the lumber for tent floors and fuel." 

LETTERS OF THOMAS E. CHASE. 

Of the fleet and the march Chase wrote at Hampton, Va., 
in letters of March 25th and 26th 1862 : 

''The scene on the river on Saturday morning was a 
grand spectacle: to see such a monstrous fleet of steamers 
and transports, all laden with troops and munitions of war 
is a rare sight. Guns of every calibre were snugly stowed 
on board, whole deck loads of horses packed together as 
snug as they could stand, and thousands of infantry and 
cavalry were crowded together on the decks,^ and in every 
nook and corner of the vessels. When I used to go down 
to the end of Liverpool wharf to see the trim little 'Nelly 
Baker,' and the 'Nantasket,' crowded with passengers on a 
pleasant excursion, little did I think that I should ever see 
them steaming down the Potomac loaded with soldiers 
bound for active service, and your humble servant Tom in 
the same fix, but it was so, and she looked as gay and trim 
as ever. We passed the deserted fortifications of the rebels 
on the Potomac, but saw no one except a few men from 
Hooker's Division who now occupy the forts. On our way 
to camp, we passed through the town of Hampton, which 
was burned by the rebels last summer, and truly it is a sad 
sight, to see nothing but the chimneys and charred ruins of 
a large and well built town. All, or nearly all, the houses 
were built of brick, and the town has the appearance of a 
small city, I should think nearly as large as Haverhill, 
IMass. I have read and heard of the destruction of property 
that this war has caused, but never realized it before. Here 
we see it. This morning we were ordered to pack up and 



180 HISTORY OF THE 

prepare for a march with the Division. We all packed up 
and wrote home, and expected to meet the rebels. We did 
not go more than half a mile, when we were ordered 'in 
Battery' near a turn in the road, and but a few rods from 
the Newmarket Bridge. Our guns command the road and 
bridge, and we are to guard it until further orders. Cap- 
tain Allen told us that we might remain here only three 
hours, or we might stop here three days, and possibly three 
weeks. We are to await further orders whether sooner or 
later. The weather is delightful here. Some of the plants 
and the peach trees are in bloom, and the trees and shrubbery 
are fast leafing out, the spring birds have come, and 'the 
voice of the turtle is heard in the land.' Every move that 
we now make gains new comforts for us. There are a num- 
ber of secesh houses which we have kindly volunteered t(3 
'clean out,' and all our tents have good board floors. We 
have this day torn down and carried away a whole house. 
Of course it had been deserted, and it did not take us but a 
few hours to confiscate it: 150 soldiers make short work of 
tearing down a secesh house. A part of our supper was 
cooked tonight over the burning remains of the house that 
we commenced on in the morning, and every tent has a sep- 
arate fire-place made of the brick thereof. . . . They are 
putting up a new line of telegraph as fast as the Army 
moves. (26th) We are ordered to pack up again this 
morning. . . . What a way to live! not to know one day 
where we are to 'board' the next, and only 'take rooms' for 
one night, but when the weather is fine I rather like it, it is 
not so monotonous as lying in camp in a mud hole, with 
nothing to do. Now we have to build and furnish a new 
house every day. ... I hope you will excuse my bad writ- 
ing and paper, for I have been in every position, while writ- 
ing, except standing on my head, but I am going to practice 
at that." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 181 



FROM THE DIARY OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Tuesday March 25th, 1862: In front of the enemy at 
last. About nine o'clock Captain Weeden's Battery and 
ours advanced half a mile to the edge of the river. Butter- 
field's and Martindale's brigades are encamped close around 
us. 

Our guns are 'in Battery' commanding Newmarket 
Bridge. I went over the bridge this forenoon. Our outside 
pickets are between our Battery and the river, about 30 
yards in front of our guns." 

PICKET DUTY. 

It was one of the prescribed rules to be strictly observed, 
that an army in camp or on the march should always throw 
between itself and the supposed position of the enemy an 
advanced guard for the purpose of observing his move- 
ments and position, as well as keeping him in ignorance of 
the state of our own forces. 

General Order No. 69, Head Quarters Army of the 
Potomac, dated Washington Feb. 25, 1862. has the follow- 
ing sketch of duties in camp : 

"Each Brigade will furnish daily the guard for its own front, con- 
necting with the guards of the Brigades on its right and left. Each 
guard will be under the direction of a Field Officer of the Day, to be 
detailed at Brigade Headquarters. Senior Captains may be added to 
the roster of field officers for field officers of the day when necessity 
requires. 

The guards of each Division will be under the direction of a General 
Officer of the Day, who shall receive his orders directly from the 
Division Commander. Colonels will be added to the roster of General 
Officers for this duty. 

Brigade commanders may be excused from serving on this detail. 

SUPPORTS AND RESERVES. 

Each guard shall consist of a line of sentinels called Pickets, of a 
line of Supports, from which the sentinels are furnished for the front 



182 HISTORY OF THE 

of the Brigade, and of a Reserve, posted in the following manner: — 
The Reserve will occupy a commanding position, and be stationed 
about a mile or a mile and a half in front of the main body of the 
Brigade. 

The Supports, two or more, as the nature of the ground and the 
length of the lines may require, will be thrown about one mile further 
to the front. They will be placed in such positions as easily to com- 
municate with each other and with the Reserves, and as near the 
avenues of approach from the front as practicable. 

From these Supports the line of Pickets is thrown out about two 
hundred yards to the front. 

As, upon the position of this line, and the manner in which the 
Pickets perform their duty, the safety of the entire Army depends, no 
pains must be spared to ensure their being properly posted and in- 
structed in their duties : and the utmost vigilance must be observed 
to enforce a proper performance of them. 

The line will be formed by posting groups of three men each : these 
groups to be not more than 150 yards ^part, and much closer when the 
nature of the ground or the attitude of the enemy requires. These 
groups will keep up constant communication with each other: which 
will be readily accomplished by one man of each group walking half 
way to the group on his left: another half way to the group on his 
right, thus always leaving one of the three at the original station. None 
of the men stationed on this line will be allowed to sit or lie down 
on their post, nor will they quit their arms, or relax the vigilance of 
faithful sentinels, by day or night. These Pickets will be relieved every 
two hours, and being furnished by the Supports, the latter will be 
divided into three reliefs for this purpose. The Supports will be re- 
lieved from the Reserve every six hours. 

The Reserve will also furnish a line of sentinels to communicate 
with the Supports, as well as a line communicating with the Headquar- 
ters of the Brigade. The sentinels on these lines will be posted within 
easy call of each other, so that intelligence may be passed from the 
Pickets to the Camp with the utmost celerity. They are to be relieved 
every two hours, and while on post must keep constantly on the alert, 
never being allowed to sit or lie down. 

The duties of the Pickets are to keep a vigilant watch over the 
country in front, and over the movements of the enemy, if in sight: 
to prevent all unauthorized persons from passing in or out of the lines, 
and to arrest all suspicious individuals. In case of an attack, they will 
act as a line of skirmishers, and hold their ground to the last moment. 
If forced to retire, they will slowly close their intervals, and fall back 
upon their Supports. 

The Supports, being placed in strong positions, will hold themselves 
in readiness to receive the Pickets, and repel an attack, retiring in good 
order upon the Reserve, when unable any longer to hold their ground. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 183 

One relief of the Supports will be allowed to sleep. One must con- 
stantly be on the alert. One commissioned officer must also be up and 
awake at all hours. 

No fires will be allowed on the line of Supports, or outside the line 
of Reserves. Any fires found burning will be promptly extinguished. 

The Reserves, stationed in a strong position, and one which com- 
mands, as far as practicable, all approaches to the camp, shall be of 
sufficient strength to check the advance of the enemy, thus affording 
the main body of the Army ample time to form and prepare for attack. 
It will give a rallying point for the Pickets and their Supports, if driven 
in, and, being reinforced by them, will hold its ground until ordered 
bv the Division Commander to retire. At least one commissioned offi- 
cer and one-third of the men of the Reserve must be on the alert at 
all hours. Fires may be built on this line in such places as are screened 
from the view in front by the nature of the ground. The position of 
the Reserve should be strengthened by the use of all such defences as 
the country affords. When near the enemy abattis should be con- 
structed whenever practicable. The Reserve shall, in addition to the 
lines of sentinels already mentioned, send out patrols between the lines 
and a short distance to the front of the line of Pickets, to examine such 
portions of the country as are not fully in view of the Pickets. 

A detachment of Cavalry shall be attached to each Reserve, which 
shall send several mounted men to remain with each of the Supports, 
to act as messengers in case of necessity. These men shall be relieved 
every six hours, and while on duty with the Support shall keep their 
horses saddled and bridled. The detachment with the Reserve shall 
keep one half of their horses saddled and bridled, prepared to mount 
at the command. This Cavalry is to be used for mounted patrols, and 
such other duty in connection with the guard as the Field Officer of 
the Day may direct. 

Field Artillery may sometimes be used to strengthen the position of 
the Reserves whenever the nature of the ground gives it an effective 
range. In all cases when artillery forms a portion of the guard, it will 
be constantly in readiness for immediate use. The horses will never 
be unhitched, and their drivers will remain within reach of them. 

As a general rule, the Advanced Guard will consist of about one- 
tenth of the effective strength of the command. But this, of course, 
varies with circumstances. The Reserve, — with the sentinels and pa- 
trols it furnishes, — will comprise two-thirds of the entire guard. The 
other third being subdivided for the' Supports and their Pickets. The 
positions of Pickets, Supports, and Reserves, will be designated by the 
Field Officers of the Day for each Brigade, under the supervision and 
control of the General Officer of the Day for the Division. 

Each Commander of Division will have an understanding with the 
Commander on his right and left, as to where they are to unite with 
the adjoining Guards. 



184 HISTORY OF THE 

On arriving at the position to be occupied by the Reserve, the Com- 
mander of the Guard will advance with and station the Supports and 
point out the position of the line of Pickets. The Commander of the 
Supports will, accompanied by the non-commissioned officers of the 
reliefs, post the Pickets of the first relief, and explain to them their 
duties. They will be careful to observe that the whole ground is cov- 
ered ; and that perfect connection is made with the lines on their right 
and left. After the Pickets are posted, the Commander of the Guard, 
will himself visit them, see that they understand their duties and occupy 
proper positions, and connect with the lines to the right and left. 
Should the position of the Pickets be changed, the order must pass 
through the Commander of the Supports to which they belong. 

The Commander of the Guard will make himself thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the ground which his Guard occupies, with the ap- 
proaches and communications. He will keep up constant communica- 
tion from front to rear and from right to left by means of lines of sen- 
tinels and patrols. In case of alarm he will promptly investigate the 
cause, and be careful not to exaggerate the danger. Should the enemy 
advance, he will, by personal observation, endeavor to discover whether 
they are in force, and beware of causing unnecessary alarm. He will 
communicate all important intelligence to the Field Officer of the Day, 
who will report the same to the General Officer of the Day, and if the 
case be urgent, directly to Division and Brigade Headquarters. He 
will see that all the duties of his Guard are performed in a prompt and 
soldierly manner, and enforce the strictest discipline. The Field Offi- 
cer of the Day will visit the Reserves, Supports and Pickets soon after 
they are posted, and at least once during the night. ... At nightfall 
the line should be drawn somewhat closer to the Supports, and should 
pass through the lower ground, and just within the front of any timber 
or brush. . . . 

All sentinels of Advanced Guards must be given the countersign 
[see p. 797 April 2, 1864] before sunset, and commence challenging 
immediately thereafter. At night care and vigilartce must be redoubled 
by officers and men of the Guard." 

GREAT BETHEL. 

The bridge having been repaired on March 26, 1862, the 
22d Mass., Infantry, went over on a reconnoissance march- 
ing to within a mile of Great Bethel After a seven mile 
march they only saw a few pickets. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery were ordered to hold themselves 
in readiness to support the 22d if attacked. During the 
night the lieutenant of the picket was shot at. It was pro- 
posed to take possession of Great Bethel on the 27th and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 185 

about seven o'clock our troops l^egan to march past in the 
following order : 

Griffin's Battery, Hancock's Brigade, Smith's Division. 

1st N. Y. Battery, Butterfield's Brigade, Porter's Divi- 
sion. 

Martin's Battery, Ayres' Battery, Brooks' Brigade, 
Smith's Division. 

Morell's Brigade, Porter's Division. 

3d N. Y. Battery, Davidson's Brigade, Smith's Division. 

In all about 15,000 men; 30 guns. 

Martindale's Brigade was held in reserve. 

Grows' Journal: ''Wednesday March 26, 1862. Turned 
out for drill. Came in, in about an hour. About 10 o'clock 
we hitched up, and were ordered to cover the rear of the 
22d. Mass. Remained *in Battery' about an hour, and seeing 
no signs of the rebels we went to our quarters. Was much 
pleased by seeing a number of men from Nims' (Second 
Mass.) Battery. They are ordered to leave tomorrow for 
Ship Island at the mouth of the Mississippi River. We are 
waiting for an advance to be made. There is a rebel for 
whose capture $300 will be paid at the Fort. He is a great 
shot, and has killed off several of the infantry pickets. 
There is a house near by and we have received orders to 
shell it out this afternoon. Spies have been lurking arounrl 
our camp today. Arrested one of them and sent him to the 
Fort. It has been a glorious day and as warm as it is at 
home in the summer, but the nights are heavy with dev/, 
and if we are out we have to wear our overcoats. 

Thursday, March 27th. The same old drill and such 
like." 

Lt. Phillips in his letter of March 27th 1862, Thursday 
evening, wrote: — "We were ordered to report to General 
Martindale as soon as we heard firing, so we waited with 
horses harnessed ready to start at a moment's notice, but as 
the day passed on we gave up all hopes of an engagement. 



186 HISTORY OF THE 

Once or twice we heard the report of a field piece, but no 
orders came and we unharnessed. 

Pretty soon a cloud of dust appeared on the road, and 
back came Griffin's Battery all covered with dust and dirt, 
but his sponges as clean as if they had never sponged a gun. 
Then came infantry, General Porter and his staff and Mar- 
tin's Battery. They had been 5 miles beyond Great Bethel 
and seen hardly a rebel. 

Smith's Division remained behind, and it is very likely 
that we shall push on tomorrow. 

The remainder of the Division was encamped along the 
left hand road. Until today the pickets were on outside 
picket, and as the brook is not more than 100 yards in front 
of our guns, we were pretty well up to the front. Last 
night the officer of the picket was fired at while at the fire 
in front of our park 30 yards off. The bullet whistled near 
enough to be uncomfortable. The first day we came there 
was quite an excitement firing at somebody in the old 
house 900 yards off. After he disappeared a lot of pigs 
made their appearance, and the pickets kept popping at 
them all day. They did not hit any and strict orders had 
been given to allow no one near the old house. Today, how- 
ever, as the advance of our forces had removed all risk, 
Hyde and Scott took their revolvers and went foraging 
round the house, and succeeded after an exciting chase in 
bringing home two pigs. Martin's Battery brought home 
six pigs, one on each caisson. We have also gained a colt, — 
secesh of course, — which by some means or other strayed 
into our camp, and was forthwith caught and appropriated. 
We fare rather better than most of the troops round us, ow- 
ing to the superior cuteness of our quartermaster. Our 
Battery is in first rate order; good horses, guns and car- 
riages well kept, and men in good health. We have re- 
ceived a good many compliments on our appearance, and 
venture to hope that it is not entirely undeserved. Our 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 187 

drill is now quite good and I think we shall do pretty well 
in a fight. 

The 'Vanderbilt' and another large steamer are now in 
the Roads, and it is proposed to run them full tilt at the 
rebel steamer. Probably it would settle the Vanderbilt, but 
the Merrimac would be likely to go down too. 

Friday morning March 28. I see the campaign is open- 
ing as I expected; General (Nathaniel P.) Banks advancing 
up the Shenandoah, and the rebels falling back on the Rap- 
pahannock. Is Burnside going to take Weldon?" 

Grows' Journal: ''Friday, March 28, 1862. After 
breakfast went and sat down by the side of the road, which 
is very near my tent, and stayed there till ^ past 10, looking 
at the regiments of infantry, batteries of artillery, and 
squadrons of cavalry pass by on their way to capture Great 
Bethel. There was a vast number of men and horses with 
teams, and in the rear the mournful looking ambulances 
for the wounded if there should be any. We soon received 
orders in case we heard heavy firing, to advance as soon as 
we could, but we did not hear any, so we still remain in the 
same place. . . . 

About 4 this afternoon a large portion of the troops that 
went out this morning, came back, and will make a still 
farther advance in a few days. They told us that the rebels 
left in a great hurry when they saw our troops coming on 
to them at Great Bethel, in some cases leaving their dinner 
on the table, and leaving all their goods behind. Only four 
'Secesh' were killed. Our troops came back well laden with 
hams, eggs, dead hogs and live turkeys. I do not blame 
them, poor fellows. Had some 'Secesh' curiosities given 
me, such as a fan, some buttons &c." 

March 29th the rebels held Great Bethel and our pickets 
extended only half a mile beyond Newmarket Bridge. Mr. 
Whittemore of the New York Times dined with the officers 
of the Fifth j\lass. Battery on fried pork, bread, and tea. 
General Porter had been heard to say that they would have 



188 HISTORY OF THE 

some fighting soon, that the Battery would be in the front, 
and he hoped it wonld be the first to open fire on the enemy. 
Sunday March 30th the men had a good dinner of baked 
beans which were cooked in an oven that they built them- 
selves. 

LETTER OF LT. PHILLIPS. 

"Newmarket Bridge, 

Sunday Morning, March 30, 1862. 

If marching 20,000 men ten mile§, and back again con- 
stitutes a great general, we have talented commanders 
round here. Twenty thousand men marched out to Great 
Bethel with flying colors, and, as I supposed, left some few 
behind to occupy the place, but in this I was mistaken, for 
I have since ascertained that all returned. Why on earth 
a reconnoissance in such force could not have ended in a 
real advance I do not know. The Army of the Potomac 
waits till the rebels have evacuated Manassas, and then ad- 
vances with a grand huljabulloo to occupy deserted in- 
trenchments, and this is military strategy! 

The army at Fortress Monroe advances to Great Bethel 
to find it deserted and march back again, and this is military 
strategy ! 

Dillingham and I rode down to Newport News Friday 
afternoon, and passed through Smith's Division on our 
way. The regiments were camped close together, and the 
camp fires cast a brilliant light on the road. Fences and 
woods are rapidly disappearing before the Army of the 
Potomac, and the country will soon be stripped as bare as 
the hills round Alexandria. 

At Newport News I found a redoubt on a hill armed 
with heavy guns, and outside of this an intrenchment de- 
fended by two or three field and siege guns. The space 
inside of the intrenchment is filled with barracks, offices, 
and all sorts of log and frame houses. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 189 

Dillingham found a friend of his in the commissary de- 
partment, who showed ns round. 

The 'Cumberland' was lying close in shore, her hull 
below water, but her masts and rigging all standing. 

A few burnt sticks farther down was all that was left of 
the 'Congress.' Holes in the buildings showed where the 
Merrimac's shot had struck, and the only wonder is that a 
single building was left standing. The Merrimac lay with- 
in point blank range, and either her practice was very bad 
or her ammunition poor. Most of her shells did not burst, 
which looks as if the trouble was in the ammunition. . . , 

Having the countersign and parole we had no difificulty 
in getting outside of the lines : but in the darkness took a 
different road from the one we came, but as luck would 
have it, a shorter one. 

Pretty soon rang out in front of us — 'Halt ! who comes 
there?' 'Friends with the countersign.' 

'Advance! one with the countersign.' 

So Dillingham trotted ahead, and I could hear a short 
conversation with the sentry. Pretty soon Dillingham told 
me to come on, and I found we had arrived at a place 
where the countersign was dififerent. (See p. 797 Counter- 
sign.) So the sentry passed us on to the next, and so on 
till we came to the officer of the day on his rounds. 

It seems we had come to Couch's Division, which had 
just landed and had the countersign which was put on by 
General McClellan on the Potomac. So he took us in 
charge and passed us along for about two miles, till we 
reached the last picket. We could not understand this 
great display of caution till the officer told us that his Divi- 
sion lay outside of everything. We concluded that he was 
laboring under a slight mistake, as some 30,000 men lay 
between him and Great Bethel. 

March 31, 1862. Our Battery is at present in position 
commanding Newmarket Bridge. . . . Hamilton's Divi- 
sion 3d Corps and Casey's Division Keyes's Corps, are here. 



190 HISTORY OF THE 

The Naval Brigade Colonel (David W.) Wardrop, the 
Dutch Brigade our neighbors on Capitol Hill, and others 
of the Artillery Reserve, are strung along between Hamp- 
ton and Fortress Monroe. On the whole I think you may 
set the effective force here at 75,000 infantry, 150 pieces of 
artillery, and a lot of cavalry; enough to do something 
when they get started. It is said that General McClellan 
arrived here yesterday. A salute of 13 guns was fired from 
ihe Fort yesterday. Two squadrons of cavalry and 400 or 
500 infantry, rode by here today over the bridge on a re- 
connoissance. 

Our cat, imported from Massachusetts, has taken up her 
quarters with us, (in the tent) as being the warmest to be 
found. The country here is quite different from the banks 
of the Potomac, the soil is sandy so that we are not troubled 
with mud, and the ground is very level, with here and there 
a brook and wood. A better field for infantry to manoeuvre 
in could not be found. The Division parades are all large 
enough to review the whole Division, and 100,000 men can 
be handled here easier than 25,000 on the Potomac. Our 
artillery is splendid, and Porter's Division is equal to any 
in this respect. Griffin's Battery (D, 5th U. S.) is equal 
to any regular battery; Martin's (Third Mass.) is as good 
a battery as Massachusetts has sent. 

We also come from Massachusetts, and Weeden's 
(Fourth R. I.) is a Rhode Island battery, which state shares 
with Massachusetts the pre-eminence in volunteer artillery. 
Captain (Stephen) Thomas of the Mass. i8th dined here 
yesterday on fried pork and tea. Colonel Wardrop was up 
here when we were lucky enough to have fresh meat. To- 
day we have made a ten strike and got hold of some fresh 
meat, potatoes, dried apples, and sugar. Milk we have 
given up for a long time." 

Lieut. Phillips thus describes a shell thrown from the 
Merrimac: — ''6 inches diam., 12 inches long, weighing 
filled about 60 lbs. The packing, of some soft metal, was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 19.1 

all stripped off, and it looked as if there had been a cap on 
the rear end. The fuze was percussion." 



Tuesday, April i, 1862, was observed as April Fool's 
Day. Grows notes in his journal being awakened by one 
of the men informing him that an acquaintance from Bos- 
ton was on the ground from the 20th Regt. and wished to 
see him. Grows began dressing, but before he went out 
thought what day it was, and told him to tell the man to 
come into the tent. He did not come. At 'Reveille' many 
were the jokes played upon both officers and men. 

Grows' Journal of the ist: "After dinner about fifty of 
us went into the woods near by to catch some rabbits. 
They are very plentiful here. Came in about an hour after 
with five large ones. If we had had guns we could have 
had more, all we had were clubs and stones. Cooked them 
for our supper. Went this afternoon with the team about 
two miles from camp to help get a load of rails for our fires. 
Got back into camp about 5 this afternoon, feeling tiptop. 
Went to Roll, then had supper and a small piece of rabbit. 
The air is quite cool this evening, so we all sit around our 
fires with overcoats on." 

That the men made the best of what they had is shown 
by Grows' Journal where he refers to making rice cakes for 
his supper. He says, "Soon after breakfast I got some rice 
and cooked it, also got some hominy and cooked that, then 
mixed them together and let them cook awhile, took some 
hard crackers and pounded them fine and put them in to 
thicken the rice, and then put the stuff away to make cakes 
for my supper, to be fried in pork fat." 

He thus describes the building of the oven for his De- 
tachment : — "We went to work and built an oven and it is 
a nice one. We have plenty of bricks and water, and dirt 
for mortar, after which we covered the whole over with 
dirt, except the door." 



192 HISTORY OF THE 



LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"April 2, 1862. Newmarket Bridge: The roads are get- 
ting so bad that we shall have a repetition of the immobility 
on the banks of the Potomac unless we move soon. 

We have rumors of moving every day, but we are as 
much in the dark about things here as we are about things 
at home. 

The first night we camped here all our pickets were on 
this side of the creek, one being posted at the bridge. 
Since the reconnoissance to Great Bethel they have been 
extended about half a mile up the road. Still as the enemy 
is not in force anywhere near us we have not much to fear. 

Our fare so far has been the toughest we have seen, hard 
bread such as Uncle Sam furnishes to his troops being the 
only thing attainable. Most of the sutlers got left behind, 
and it is almost impossible to buy anything round here. 
Everything has to come from the vicinity of the Fort, the 
"city" as we call it, and waiting for orders that may come 
at any moment we can hardly communicate with this. Still 
we get along without any detriment to our health, and keep 
cheerful. The Division mail arrived at the Fort but by 
some mistake was given to the wrong person, which makes 
it rather doubtful how soon we shall get our letters. 

P. S. Evening. Just received. P. P. S. The Post- 
master General desires that all letters for the Division be 
directed to Washington. The weather is chilly, with a 
northeast Avind. Professor Low has arrived with his bal- 
loon.'' 

THE SITUATION. 

General McClellan on April 2d, 1862, had made his head- 
quarters at Fortress Monroe. 

Two new departments : those of the Shenandoah and the 
Rappahannock had been created. April 3d an order was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 193 

issued by the Secretary of War discontinuing the recruiting 
service. Troops offered by Massachusetts were peremp- 
torily decHned. General McClellan had no control of the 
naval forces upon which he depended for co-operation in 
the reduction of Yorktown, and his command of forces in 
the field was restricted to the limits bounded on the west by 
the Fredericksburg and Richmond R. R. and on the east by 
the line defining the sixty-mile limit from Fort Monroe, and 
lying between the Potomac and James Rivers. His de- 
partment included the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvani.a, 
Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia 
east of the Alleghanies and north of the James River, with 
the exception of Fortress Monroe and the country sur- 
rounding it, within a distance of sixty miles. The rebels 
had constructed several lines of fortifications between For- 
tress Monroe and Yorktown, the first of which was at Big 
Bethel. At Big Bethel there was a very crooked little 
brook about 20 feet wide. On the southern side there was 
a level plain, about large enough to hold a Brigade. The 
northern bank was very steep and rolling, and was defended 
by rifle pits and artillery "epaulements." (Demi-bastions 
in fortifications. A "bastion" is a bulwark.) 

The rebels on the advance of our reconnoissance of March 
27th, retreated beyond this line, to their second fortified line 
at Howard's Mills, where our scouts reported a large force 
of cavalry and infantry drawn up behind the ramparts. 

The third line of defense was right around Yorktown. 

General Order No. 33, dated War Department Adjutant 
General's Office, Washington, April 3, 1862, contained the 
following paragraphs: — 

"II In order to secure, as far as possible, the decent interment of 
those who have fallen, or may fall, in battle, it is made the duty o 
Commanding Generals to lay off lots of ground in some suitable spot 
near every battlefield, so soon as it may be in their power and to cause 
the remains of those killed to be interred, with head-boards to the 



194 HISTORY OF THE 

graves bearing numbers, and, where practicable, the names of the per- 
sons buried in them. A register of each burial ground will be pre- 
served, in which will be noted the marks corresponding with the head- 
boards." 

It was a wise forethought which dictated this, but what 
of the next? 

"III. The Recruiting service for volunteers will be discontinued 
in every state from this date. The officers detached on Volunteer Re- 
cruiting Service, will join their Regiments without delay, taking with 
them the parties and recruits at their respective stations. The Super- 
intendents of Volunteer Recruiting Service will disband their parties 
and close their offices, after having taken the necessary steps to carry 
out these orders. The public property belonging to the Volunteer 
Recruiting Service, will be sold to the best advantage possible, and the 
proceeds credited to the fund for collecting, drilling, and organizing 
volunteers. 

By Order of the Secretary of War. 

Official : L. Thomas, 

Adjutant General." 



COMPANY ORDERS. 

On this day Company Orders were "Three days' cooked 
rations : three days' uncooked." The Battery was to march 
the next morning- at daybreak. 

Grows' Journal: "April 3, 1862. Had cannoneer's drill 
one hour this forenoon. Had dinner of our baked beans. 
They were done just right. We were informed this after- 
noon that we would break camp at 2 in the morning, so I 
began to pack the loose things I had, so I could be on hand 
early. Had quite a good supper of coffee and hard bread, 
after which we drew three days' rations, consisting of thirty 
hard bread and three or four lbs. of meat, then filled our 
canteens with water. Our destination is to be Richmond, 
liaving to i)ass through Bethel and Yorktown." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 195 



BANKS' FIFTH CORPS. 

April 4, 1862, the Corps designated as the '"Fifth Corps," 
under General N. P. Banks, was discontinued by general 
orders from the War Department. 

HOWARD'S MILLS.— THE FIRST GUN FIRED. 

The historian of Martin's Third Mass. Battery says of 
the incident at Howard's Mills : — 

"Friday April 4, 1862, reached Big Bethel. At about 
twelve o'clock resumed our march. About three miles far- 
ther on we reached the Halfway House, once a hotel of 
some importance. Two companies of rebel cavalry had left 
there only an hour before. While we were at the Halfway 
House, cannonading was heard in advance, and a march of 
a mile brought us to two rebel intrenchments. Berdan's 
Sharpshooters, at the head of the column, had been fired on 
by the enemy, but one of our batteries, the Fifth Massachu- 
setts, coming up, the rebels were shelled out and our troops 
occupied the works when we reached them. . . . Our ad- 
vance secured two guns in the fort, and some commissary 
stores. Another fort near the first had been previously 
abandoned." 

HYDE^S NOTES. NEW YORK, MAY 23, 1900. 

Revised. June 26, 1901. 

"We landed at Fortress Monroe, and, working our way 
with Butterfield's Brigade up the peninsula, through Hamp- 
ton which had recently been destroyed by the enemy, wc 
encountered formidable earthworks thrown up by them. 

Se\eral batteries were ahead of us, but General Grifiin 
sent back for the Fifth Mass. Battery. The troops opened 
to the right and left, and we passed through to the front. 



196 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Griffin, chief of artillery, ordered Captain Allen 
to send a section of his battery into the field to attack the 
enemy behind the earthworks. 

Accordingly my section [the Right] was ordered to take 
position in tlie field and open on the enemy. This order 
was immediately carried into effect by taking my section 
out of the road and across the field, and we commenced fir- 
ing into the fortifications, receiving the fire of the enemy in 
return. 

During this engagement the first piece that was dis- 
charged was my right piece in charge of Serg't. O. B. 
Smith. 

My second piece was in charge of Serg't. Wm. H. Pea- 
cock. 

We had only fired a few rounds when my second piece 
(Peacock's) became disabled by the trail being broken in 
two directly where the elevating screw goes through, and 
notwithstanding the shot and shell were flying about us 
promiscuously, the butt of the gun having gone down and 
the muzzle up in the air, Serg't. Peacock jumped up and 
down, and says — 'For God's sake look at my piece !' As 
we were thus disabled parts of other batteries were sent in 
to finish the work, the enemy was driven out, and our troops 
took possession, capturing several guns. 

After we were all through. Captain Allen asked Captain 
Griftm if it would be best for us to sling our piece and take 
it into the fortification, as he thought we could make a new 
trail during the night. His reply was that he did not think 
we could do it, and it would have to be sent back to Wash- 
ington. I then spoke to Captain Griffin, and said I enlisted 
those artificers, and I knew that I had men competent to do 
it. He said, — 'Well, if you wish, you can try it.' 

We accordingly slung the piece, took it into the fortifica- 
tion, and during the night made a new trail out of a tree 
which had been cut down; many of us taking part in the 
work, using the axe, holding the light &c. &:c. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 197 

W'e completed it : and in the morning Captain Allen re- 
ported to Captain Griffin that we were ready for action with 
our six pieces, and ^^■ere ready for his inspection. He came 
to look at it and laughed a little, saying it was not so ele- 
gant, or words to that effect, but it would do for service. 

This was one of the pieces that was lost at Gaines Mills, 
and retaken by Union forces at Chancellorsville three years 
later." 



FROM CAPT. GEO. D. ALLEN'S NOTES. 
April 19, 1900. 

"When our forces halted within the fortification. Captain 
Allen, after consulting with the artificers, concluded to re- 
mount the gun that night, and directed the broken trail to 
be replaced. 

The artificers found a tree of solid live oak, which had 
been cut down by the rebels, and made a new trail with the 
old one for a pattern. This was done in the darkness of 
the night, while Captain Allen and other officers held the 
tallow candles for them to see to work by. 

Just after daylight next morning, when General Fitz 
John Porter sent his aide to see if they could get the gun 
along on the march that day to Yorktown, Captain Allen 
invited the aide to look at the gun which had been mounted 
the night before and was all ready. He seemed not a little 
surprised to find the gun mounted and ready for action, and 
Captain Allen remarked to him that he did not believe there 
was a better gun trail in the Army of the Potomac, and to 
give his compliments to General Porter, and invite him if 
he passed us that day to look particularly at the gun trail. 
He did pass us, and paid the Battery a high compliment for 
its Yankee ingenuity in cutting out a new gun trail from 
solid live oak wood, and mounting the gun in so short a 
time." 



19S HISTORY OF THE 

D. Henry Grows who helped make the new trail, said 
Sept. 3, 1900, that in it "there were 27 pieces of iron, taken 
off the old one. It was broken off at the cap squares, just 
where you elevate the gun." See p. 204 "Grows' Journal." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 
April 4, 1862. 

"On this morning agreeably to orders 'reveille' was 
sounded at 2 o'clock, and the Battery marched between five 
and six, near the head of the column, preceded by Morell's 
Brigade. After a short halt at Big Bethel to build a bridge, 
we kept on and again halted about two. After stopping 
about 15 minutes the bugle sounded 'Forward,' and the 
regiment ahead opened to give us a passage. 

Things began to look a little suspicious, and we soon 
came in sight of two regiments formed in line of battle in a 
field by the road side, head of column to the right. 

'Forward into Line!' 'Left Oblique!' 'In Battery!' 
came in quick succession, but soon our guns were in posi- 
tion pointing rebehvards. 

One regiment deployed in front as skirmishers, and an- 
other on our right supported them. Slowly the skir- 
mishers advanced, and in five minutes we heard quite a 
lively fusillade. Then we advanced through the fence into 
the next field, and the Right section (Commanded by Lt. 
Hyde) went forward to shell out a rebel battery (2 guns) 
distance 2000 yards. Bang! went the first gun and a shell 
burst directly over the fort. Half a dozen more times and 
the rebels 'skedaddled' in a hurry, but one piece, just as 
the order was given 'Cease Firing,' tumbled over in the 
most extraordinary manner with a broken trail. So Grif- 
fin (Battery D, 5th U, S.) brought up his Right section and 
finished the job. In half an hour the stars and stripes 
waved in the fort at Howard's Mills. Then we advanced 
over a crooked road, across a swamp, up a hill, into these 
intrenchments. We quartered in a log house,— rebel's 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 199 

guard house or something of the sort. A camp bedstead 
was in the room and a fire blazing. Dr. RawHngs corre- 
spondent of the New York Times, will quarter with us." 

From Phillips' Letters : "The creek at Howard's Mills 
lies at the bottom of a deep ravine, and the rebel lines ex- 
tended along the brow of the hill on the North. The de- 
fences consisted of a parapet for infantry following the lay 
of the land with irregular projections on the spurs of the 
hill, pierced with embrasures for field pieces. 

When we made the advance we expected a fight, and 
made our calculations accordingly. As soon as we came 
in sight the rebels opened with two field pieces from the 
fort, but our Right section soon shelled them out of that 
and we took up our quarters in the lines, the officers of the 
Fifth Mass. Battery occupying a log house." 

NOTES OF LIEUT. HENRY D. SCOTT. 
Revised Jan'y 24, 1901. 

"As Junior Lieutenant, Chief of Caissons, I was not with 
the Sections much. The weather was intolerable. When 
we passed through Big Bethel the advance found a rebel 
battery at Howard's Mills, behind earthworks. The col- 
umn came to a halt, and as the 5th Battery had the lead it 
was ordered up to brush them away. The Battery found 
the troops resting on the ground on each side of the road. 
They cheered us and sang out 'Go in, Boys. Give 'em fits !' 

As Chief of Caissons I halted them short of the position 
of the Battery, which after a short duel the battery in front 
left, and the column went on its way. As I passed with 
the caissons after the 5th, I saw one of their Guns on the 
ground. After reaching the ground where the rebel bat- 
tery had been, the Army parked for the night, and I was 
sent back with men and horses, to sling the Gun and bring 
it to camp. It was dark when we returned. I said as the 
trail had been broken, we could make a new one. Findino- 



200 HISTORY OF THE 

a timber of suitable size, with the artificers we worked all 
night, and in the morning the Gun moved with the rest of 
the Battery. The same Gun was lost at Gaines Mills, June 
27th, and was not seen after, until, the war over, it was 
found parked at Richmond, Va." 

NOTES OF SERGT. WM. H. PEACOCK. 
July 18, 1901. 

"Before we came into Battery one of my men had taken a 
shell and cartridge out from the chest, getting ready for a 
quick shot. I recollect quite well that seventeen rounds 
were fired by the two guns, and none were fired by either 
after our trail broke, as the 400 or 500 Rebel Cavalry on 
the opposite bank from us, had run before we quit firing. 
They fired some shell at us, but it seemed to go to the left 
of us, striking in the bank of the hill. I have always said 
that our Gun of the Second Detachment fired the first shot 
at Howard's Mills. Comrade Chase also wrote to this ef- 
fect in his Diary at the time it occurred. On firing the 
ninth round the trail of my gun broke at the elevating box, 
dropping to the ground, while the gun pointed skyward. 
We slung the gun under the limber with the prolonge rope, 
and hauled off the broken parts by hand that night. Our 
position was in a cornfield. The corn rows prevented our 
gun from getting the proper recoil, and this caused the trail 
to break at the elevating box. That night our artificers 
made a new trail for the gun, and had it completed before 
morning so it was as useful as ever, and I was with it until 
its capture at Gaines Mills fight. We used to frequently 
look up captured rebel artillery in hopes to find it again, but 
1 never heard of its being recovered. I recollect as some 
of my Detachment at the time, John F. Mack, David Mc- 
Vey, Wm. B. Newhall, G. W. Poole, B. F. Story, C. M. 
Tripp.— I think,— P. Welch, Henry Fitzsimmons." 

From Chase's Diary. "April 4, 1862. Two miles from 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 201 

Great Betliel. 'In Battery,' 'Action Front,' to be ready 
for the enemy! 

The Right section advanced about looo feet, and com- 
menced shelHng a rebel battery. 

Serg't W'ilHam H. Peacock of the Second Detachment 
of the Right section of the Fifth Mass. Battery Light Ar- 
tihery fired the first gun, and it was the first gun of the 
Army of the Potomac to be fired. After a few rounds the 
left piece of the Right section had the trail of the gun 
broken off squarely." 

FROM LETTER OF CORPORAL J. E. SPEAR. 
April 13, 1862. 

"Came upon the rebels about 3 o'clock p. m. Our Bat- 
tery lieing in the advance. Gen. Porter sent out with a regi- 
ment of skirmishers a section of the Battery. When about 
half a mile from the entrenchments a squadron of cavalry 
was seen to leave very hurriedly. Our skirmishers, fired 
upon them., but as they were some distance away the shots 
did not take effect. While our guns were being fired one 
carriage in recoiling was broken; the trail coming back upon 
a rock with such force as to break it. The rebels having 
left their encampment, and entrenchments, nothing re- 
mained for us to do but to march into them, which we did 
at a double quick. Remained all night. The place was 
called Howard's Mills." 

NOTES OF CORPORAL WM. H. BAXTER. 

Revised Oct. 15. 1900. 

BUILDING NEW^ TRAIL FOR GUN NO. 4. 

"We went into Battery several times approaching York- 
town. I think it was the second dav out from Fortress 



202 HISTORY OF THE 

Monroe, that we were 'in Battery,' firing at the fast re- 
treating Johnnies, when the trail of the 4th Detachment 
Gun broke squarely in two pieces, causing the muzzle of the 
Gun to point skyward. The accident put the Gun out of 
action, and upon arriving at camp that evening, the writer 
was ordered to make a detail to build a new trail. The job 
seemed insurmountable, but a detail was finally made, 
which proved equal to the occasion. Being a non-com. 
my part in the building of that trail was to do the heavy 
standing around, and I did it to perfection. We started 
for the woods near camp, and cast about for a tree suitable 
for the purpose. The writer can recollect but two of the 
boys who were in this detail 'Uncle Dudley' Blanchard, 
now passed away, and sterling Lem. W'ashlun-n. The tree 
was dropped, a length measured off suitable for the trail, 
and the boys went to work shaping it; nothing but axes 
being used. After getting it well roughed out, we hauled 
it to camp, and it was taken in hand by that Knight of the 
Hammer, Mike Hewitt and his assistants, who proceeded 
to put the finishing touches to the wood and fitting the iron 
work. My recollection of the time taken to build it is that 
we had that tree felled at about 9 o'clock in the evening, and 
were ready to start with the trail completed at 8,30 next 
morning, overtaking the Battery, which had marched early 
in the morning, between 11 and 12 o'clock that noon. 

That the work was well done no better evidence can be 
had, than that some of the Boys, after the surrender, saw 
the old Gun in park with the trail intact, just as we had 
'donated' it to the Johnnies at Gaines Mills, with the excep- 
tion that the ground end of it had warped nearly one half 
way around, the effect of the sun upon the green wood of 
which it was made. 

This is one of the many evidences which occurred dur- 
ing the war that the Boys of '61 were always found equal 
to every occasion where necessity demanded brain or 
brawn." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 203 

FROM PRIVATE BENJAMIN F. STORY. 
Oct. 8, 1900. 

"In regard to the first shot at Howard's Mills, — We 
were in the advance in that action, and were in the advance 
ordered by Captain Griffin of the 5th Regulars U. S. A., 
as he had charge of the 4 Batteries — to place the guns and 
fire on the Rebels who occupied a hill to the front — which 
we did — and Capt. Griffin told Capt. Allen, that he had the 
honor of firing the first gun on the Peninsula, and I heard 
it distinctly. 

My duty at the time was head driver on the Caisson 2d. 
Detachment, and I know whereof I speak." 

After recalling the same circumstances of the broken 
trail he says : — 

"That gun, with three others, was lost in action at Gaines 
Mills, and was recaptured by us at the Weldon R. R. fight, 
and turned in at the U. S. Arsenal at Washington D. C. 
when our Battery was mustered out. All of which I can 
certify to having come under my own personal observation 
at the time." 



Grows' Journal: "Friday April 4, 1862. Was called at 
half past two this morning by the Bugle. Packed all my 
things together. Lashed my knapsack and overcoat on the 
limber of the piece. At half past four we had breakfast of 
hot coffee and hard bread. At a quarter to six we took up 
our line of march with the Corps which numbered some 
30,000 men. The morning was very warm and close. 
After marching a few miles I saw plenty of overcoats, 
blankets, and knapsacks by the roadside, which our troops 
had thrown away on account of the heat. Arrived at Great 
Bethel al; half past 10 in the forenoon. Stopped long 
enough to feed and water the horses, then took up the line 



204 HISTORY OF THE 

of march for Bethel : arrived at one o'clock. Our scouts 
brought in word that the Rebels were in their entrench- 
ments, and that we would have to shell them out. At half 
past one the Right section opened fire upon their works, and 
the sharpshooters the same upon their cavalry, killing two. 
The enemy then left their works. We pushed on, but they 
were gone, so we began to pitch our tents here in their 
breastworks. If they had had more pieces they could have 
held it against our force, for some time. 

There were about 800 rebels in the works when we first 
came upon them, but they retreated very lively." 

Josiah W. Gardner, referring to his journal of April 4, 
1862, says, "Archie Waugh (W. A. Waugh) drove the 
swing team of No. i gun, and fired the first shot. This was 
Peacock's gun which had the trail broken." 



York TOWN 




.Jo- > .V 



/f.2. Sumner's Corps. 3 Porrer-'s Diysiori, -d Hamflton'i Dwisio,,, of 
He.1 nt 7el m a n s Corps 5 6-7 Kex^es Corps 6 General McClellon's 
Headqiuarf&rS. 9 3ri(3ges Over Wormley Cr Guardsd "by the 5'^ 
/^oSSaoffery. 10 Peach orc\ard. //. First posit tori raken by the 5 '^■ 
/^ass Battery on ^ pri 1 6"' I'dGZ. 12. Hjuses burned hy Pebel S. 13 t^oore's 
/louse. H.BaaX River Land ing. i5 Fledoubt. 16 Lunette I/' House built 
hy S"- Mass.Batter-y. 1 8./)d,,ancsd iTns of Porte r^ Di"isi o^n 19 S/oopdr 
J*arrotS A. Moi-tar Battery. 



CHAPTER VII. 

YORKTOWN, 

April 5 to May 3, 1862. 

"Let others hew from marble the grand forms 
Imprisoned there . . . 
For thee the tragedy of daily things. 
By firesides placed amid our work and books 

How every group the war before us brings!" 

Thomas G. Appleton. — Sonnet to Rogers. 

THE ADVANCE. 

Bugle Call.— "In Battery." 
Allegro 



^E± 



IJ r\ J i^r r m 



Porter's Division on the Right, led the advance of the 
Army of the Potomac. 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS, 

OF April 6, 1862. 

"Sunday forenoon. Yesterday morning we left our com- 
fortable quarters, and started as we supposed on a recon- 
noissance, but we have not yet returned. After we had pro- 
ceeded a short distance on our way it commenced to rain, 
and poured down till noon. We marched on, and about 
twelve o'clock we heard firing ahead, and marched into a 

fiera. 

205 



206 HISTORY OF THE 

The Rhode Island Battery and Griffin's were shelling the 
rebel intrenchments. Pretty soon Martin's Battery was 
sent off to the left, and commenced shelling. About 4 
o'clock, Martin returned, having lost 2 killed and 3 
wounded, and we were ordered to relieve Captain Weeden, 
who had lost one, killed. So our pieces started off and 
formed in battery in front of the rebels about 2000 yards 
distant. 

Just as we were coming into battery, a little smoke puffed 
out from the fort, then the report, and a few seconds later, 
a 32 pdr. shell struck in the dirt 50 yards on our left. The 
fuze had not ignited, so we picked up the shell and carried 
it home. 

We blazed away once or twice in return, and pretty soon 
we heard two reports from them to the right and left, and 
then bang, bang! two shells burst right in front of us 50 
feet from the ground; one piece striking an infantry soldier 
in the woods to our right. We fired a little more, but, not 
accomplishing much, we soon stopped, and after dark re- 
turned to camp. 

Early this morning, 3 o'clock, the Right and Centre sec- 
tions took position in the same place, and are at present, — 
12 m., — there. The men are mostly asleep and I am lying 
on my overcoat writing this letter. The rebels have been 
making embrasures in front of their guns, probably to keep 
off the bullets by our skirmishers, who are scattered round 
pretty thick. The enemy's gunners are quite good, and they 
have got our range very well." 

Grows' Journal: ''Saturday, April 5, 1862, We are 
about 9 miles from Yorktown, and there are about 30,000 
rebels encamped there in strong breastworks. Owing to 
the bad state of the roads we did not arrive at Yorktown 
outside of the enemy's works till half past one. The rebel 
works are in sight and about i^ miles to two miles off. 
About half an hour after we arrived the Rhode Island 4th 
Battery were ordered to open fire upon them. In a short 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 207 

time one of the enemy's shells struck one of their men, and 
he died in half an hour. At \ past 3 this afternoon Mar- 
tin's Battery was ordered to relieve the Rhode Island Bat- 
tery. As soon as they came in sight the enemy opened 
upon them a murderous fire killing Charles Lord and Ed- 
ward Lewis, both of Charlestown, wounding 3 men, and 
killing 6 horses. After firing about two hours they silenced 
one of the enemy's batteries. At 8 o'clock that evening we 
were ordered back to camp. Just as we were leaving they 
threw a shell which knocked down one of the infantry about 
100 yards on my right. We came into camp feeling well, 
but tired. 

Sunday April 6th. Was awakened at 4 o'clock this 
morning by the noise caused by the Right and Centre sec- 
tions going down into the field. About 3 this afternoon, 
went a short distance to Martin's Battery to witness the 
funeral ceremonies over the bodies of Lord and Lewis. It 
was a very affecting sight. The pictures of their wives, 
which they had with them were opened, and laid, open, 
upon their breasts, and in this way they were buried." 

In the "History of Rhode Island in the Rebellion" may 
be found the following in relation to these first shots : — 

"During the advance on Yorktown April, 1862, Battery 
C, R. I. Captain W^eeden, went into battery in a cornfield 
on the right of the road leading to Yorktown. Griffin's 
Battery came up on our right and peppered away in fine 
style. IMartin's did similar execution on our left. In ad- 
vance, and about 75b yards from the nearest rebel entrench- 
ment. Berdan's sharpshooters were posted. . . . At_3 
o'clock p. m. Randolph's Battery was ordered to relieve 
Griffin's. He was engaged two hours. [This was Battery 
E, I St R. I. Captain George E. Randolph afterwards chief 
of artillery of Division and Corps, Third Corps.] The 3d 
and 5th Massachusetts batteries took an efficient part in the 
fight. Butterfield's and Martindale's Brigades reclined on 
their arms within range of the enemy's guns during the day. 



208 HISTORY OF THE 

The roar of cannon shook the earth Hke a subterranean con- 
vulsion and the sharp crack of Berdan's rifles told how bus- 
ily they were employed. . . . Two men belonging to Mar- 
tin's Battery were killed and five reported wounded. Thus 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts share the honor of shed- 
ding the first blood in this preliminary engagement." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Monday morning. (April 7, 1862) We had a little 
target practice yesterday. We waited during the forenoon 
without firing, and while we were sleeping away as com- 
fortably as possible, bang, whiz, bang! came a shell from 
the Fort, bursting very near, and waking us all up. The 
enemy then hoisted a new and handsome flag on our left, 
and brought a field piece into position, out of sight from 
where I was, but visible from the Right section, and let us 
have a shell from it. It burst close to and the pieces flew 
all round us. . . . This fun did not particularly suit us, but 
soon we got orders from General Porter to reply, so the 
Right section blazed away at the field piece on our left, and 
soon silenced that, while my section went to work pitching 
shells into the Fort and camp. We fired two shots at the 
Fort, one of which struck the sandbags in the embrasure, 
and then we pitched into the camp. After a while down 
went one tent in a cloud of dust, and the shells began to fly 
pretty thick round the rest. Still the distance was too 
great, and we stopped after a while. 

Monday afternoon. Captain (Ormand F.) Nims has 
just arrived, and is going to the Fort. We have been in 
camp all day, and it is raining hard. Grifiin occupies our 
yesterday's position, intrenchments having been thrown up 
last night. Some 30 batteries of light artillery have ar- 
rived, and as soon as the siege guns arrive we shall be ready 
for a second siege of Yorktown, which will be pretty sure to 
result as the former siege. It is said that the Rigfht of the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



209 



enemy's lines was carried last night. I don't know how 
true the report is." 

Chase's Diary: "April 6, 1862. . , . Found fragments 
of a shell fired at us. But one good shot from the enemy 
today. Balloon reconnoissance by the generals today. 
None of the Battery injured today." 

TO PREPARE FOR ACTION. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, 

Camp near Yorktown, Va. 
April 8, 62. 



General Orders 
No. 113 



Extract. 



VIII. "To the Color" sounded on the march, will be the signal 
to prepare for action. 



To THE COLOR 



r;rN r 



^ 



At this call (80 steps to the minute) the trains will draw, as far as 
possible, to one side of the road and halt. The ambulances will be pre- 
pared for service : the men will close their ranks without further or- 
ders, and preserve perfect silence. 

By command of Maj. Gen'l. McClellan. 

S. Williams A. A. G. 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 



"Camp near Yorktown, Va. 
April 9, 1862. 

For the last few days we have been exchanging shots at 
long range, but without accomplishing much. Earthworks 



210 HISTORY OF THE 

have been thrown up in the field, and the Left section 
(Lieut. DilHngham's) are now out. The rel^els have got 
some field pieces in position, and are trying to shell him out. 
Quite a lot of regiments are up in line round our camp, and 
it is said they are going to capture something." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 9, 1S62. Dillingham's section 
went into the earthworks to dig, and the rebels tried to shell 
him out with a ten inch mortar in the hospital fort. One 
of the shells which blew out, was dug up 6 ft. deep, and car- 
ried to General Porter. The Division, except Butterfield's 
Brigade, Alartin's and Allen's Batteries, have moved one 
mile to the rear and during the night we were alarmed sev- 
eral times, harnessed and unharnessed, but nothing came of 
it." 

Chase's Diary: "April 9, 1862. The Left section ex- 
changed shots with the enemy today, and brought to camp 
an eleven inch shell, which 'blew' without exploding; 
weighing 86 lbs. and having 80 bullets in it. Infantry 
regiments taking new positions." 

Grows' Journal: ''\Vednesday April 9, 1862. Our sec- 
tion, consisting of two pieces, was ordered out into the field 
to protect the encampment of the 9th Mass., 62d. Penn., 
and our own camp. Soon after arriving on the field it 
began to rain like fury. The orders were for us to only 
answer the rebels' shot. They fired about ten heavy shell 
at us, four of which burst over our heads, but none of us 
got hurt. We fired in return at them, and by means of 
glasses saw several fall, but could not ascertain how many 
of them were killed. About- 3 this afternoon the regiments 
near us were ordered to fall back about a mile, as they were 
in the direct range of the rebels' fire. At 6 this afternoon 
we were ordered back to camp. . . . Orders came about 
midnight to be ready to fall back about one mile to the rear, 
so the mortar and siege guns can work without our being 
in the way." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 211 



FROM LETTERS OE LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Thursday Evening: (April lo, 1862.) It seems the 
rebels have been using a 10 inch mortar to silence our 3 in. 
guns. Several shells burst in the neighborhood of the Bat- 
tery, but no damage was done. . . . Today Lieut. Hyde 
and I have been in the field, but not a shot was fired on 
either side. The rebels have struck the camp that we 
shelled the other day. Last night we had several alarms 
and harnessed several times expecting an attack, but 
nothing came of it. If the rebels don't shoot better than 
they have done, they may fire at us as long as they like." 

Chase's Diary: "April 10, 1862. Ordered out at 11 
o'clock last night and l;itched up 'double quick' both guns 
and caissons, and the infantry called in line : waited half an 
hour in line, then ordered to camp for the night without 
further excitement. Two sections of the Battery left camp 
and took position about a mile to the rear of the enemy, and 
joined the Division in a new position, leaving one section 
in front of the enemy." 

Grows' Journal : "April 10, 1862, we took up our line 
of march, and very soon arrived at this place. It is a very 
pretty place. The river is near by. Pitched our tents in 
a corn field. There are plenty of troops around us, and lots 
of gunboats to be seen on the river. General McClellan's 
quarters are on this ground. April nth. At 9 o'clock 
this morning our section (Left, Dillingham's) were or- 
dered to go about :|: of a mile to protect the 'pioneers' of 
the 1 8th Mass. who are building a bridge across a creek, 
(Over Wormley's Creek, between the camp and Yorktown) 
for the purpose of conveying troops and field-pieces across 
for the intrenchments that are going to be built by our 
troops. Arrived at the spot and pitched a large tent for us 
to sleep in at night, after which we cruised around, dug 



212 HISTORY OF THE 

some mussels and oysters (The far famed York River oys- 
ters described by the historian Lossing in 1848) which are 
very plenty here. Had them for dinner. Had our supper 
sent to us of coffee and hard bread. I am detailed for guard 
tonight from 8 till 9, one hour; after 'standing it' I sat 
down by the fire with Harry Simonds and some others, till 
12 o'clock. Turned in soon after." 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Yorktown, Va. 
April 12, 1862. 

You need not imagine there was anything very terrible 
in the fight; there was some little popping away of muskets 
and some banging of artillery, without amounting to much. 
Martin's Battery got into a pretty tight spot, hotter than 
anything at Bull Run, so said Griffin. The R. I. battery 
got down in a field and blazed away at an earthwork mount- 
ing four 32 pdrs. at 2500 yards. Griffin was alongside of 
them, but he did not silence their guns, or anything of the 
sort. Both sides might bang away till doomsday, at that 
distance, without doing any injury worth speaking of. We 
have been down on the same ground and fired at the enemy, 
and had them fire at us, till it has become rather ridiculous. 
One day we fired into a fort on the right to oblige General 
Porter, who was up in a balloon and wished to see what the 
effect would be. W^e blazed away with our 3 inch popguns 
till the rebels seemed to get a little excited, and bang went 
a big mortar, and a 10 inch shell whistled several hundred 
yards over our heads. We rather enjoy this amusement 
as they cannot afford to waste much valuable ammunition 
of the sort by throwing it half a mile over our heads. Our 
sharpshooters appear to bother the rebels a great deal and 
yesterday they sallied out and drove them in, burning down 
a house close by their lines which has given them a great 
deal of trouble. . . . We are now encamped within sight 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 213 

of York River, and of our gunboats lying in it, below York- 
town, in a corn field, by a house formerly owned by a 
Secesh doctor, now used as a General Hospital. Behind us 
is a large field in which General McClellan has his Head 
Quarters. For the last week there ha\'e been all sorts of 
rumors about a large siege train which was somewhere or 
other, and for which everything must wait. Today I hear 
they are landed somewhere or other, and will soon arrive. 
I hope so. At present we have nothing to do, and are 
afraid to stir out of camp lest the Battery should move 
while we are out. For the last 24 hours our Left section 
has been guarding a bridge which is building, and which is 
supposed to be absolutely necessary to the success of opera- 
tions. But at the present rate of construction the bridge 
will be finished in rhe course of 6 months. Geiieral Porter 
went up in a balloon alone yesterday morning and got 
adrift. After floating about a little while he came down 
in safety : the wind, fortunately for him, blowing from 
the north." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 12, 1862. Yesterday Dilling- 
ham's section went into a masked battery in our front to 
protect a bridge. . . . Weeden sent one section into the old 
earthwork and had quite hot work. The rebels rallied at 
3000 strong: burnt the houses by the peach orchard and 
threatened Dillingham's section, but nothing came of it. 
This morning I relieved Dillingham. The rebels fired 3 
shells at a tug which tried to come up the river. Griffin 
this morning concluded it was too dangerous to occupy the 
earthworks above." 



NOTES OF CORPORAL J. E. SPEAR, 

who, besides acting directly with the Fifth Mass. Battery 
as sergeant and lieutenant, was at one time assistant adju- 
tant general for ]\Iajor Freeman JMcGilvery; at one' time 



214 HISTORY OF THE 

assistant adjutant general for General A. P. Martin; also 
ordnance officer for Artillery Brigade 5th Army Corps: — 

"Army of the Potomac 

Near Yorktown, Va. 

Sunday, April 13, 1862. 

The stillness of the day has turned my thoughts towards 
home and the dear friends there. It is very quiet in the 
different camps. Nothing of importance save the arriving;' 
of more troops. Whilst I am writing I can hear the sounds 
of bugles from the newly arrived troops. I have just fin- 
ished my dinner, fresh meat and broth, no more 'salt junk' 
for a spell, as long as 'Secesh Cattle' hold out, which I think 
will be for some time, and I am glad that we have ad- 
vanced so that we can get fresh meat, for it has been 
nothing but salt junk and salt pork for some time past, and 
many of the boys were sick on rations of pork. 

I will give you a description of our march from Hamp- 
ton to our present encampment : — One week ago last Fri- 
day, we left our pleasant little camp at Hampton, for Rich- 
mond, expecting, of course, to be brought to a standstill at 
Yorktown, and we are, and no mistake. The first day, Fri- 
day, we advanced about 3 miles beyond Big Bethel, coming 
to a rebel encampment of about 400 cavalry, the infantry 
and artillery having left the day before for Yorktown on 
hearing that Porter's Division was advancing towards them. 
(See p. 201 Howard's Mills.) 

At 5 o'clock the next morning (After the fight at How- 
ard's Mills) we were routed up and ordered to move on- 
ward, and after partaking of a good breakfast consisting of 
salt junk, hard bread, and some good cojffee, we hitched up 
our horses and were soon moving onward, but our day's 
march was not as pleasant as that of the day before. Fri- 
day the roads were in tip top condition and the day pleas- 
ant, but Saturday we had to pass through a swamp of 5 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 215 

miles length, and we hadn't gone more than a mile or so, 
before it commenced raining real old Virginia style, drops 
as large, nearly, as cherries, and it was not long before the 
mud was ankle deep. On this day we found that we could 
not advance as readily as on the day before, and on coming 
to the end of the swamp, we began to hear the booming of 
cannon. Saturday there were 2 batteries with us in the ad- 
vance, and leading us, so that we didn't have a chance to 
commence the firing as we did the day before. We finally 
came in sight of Yorktown, and we saw before us, forts, 
entrenchments, rifle pits, strongly guarded. The Rhode 
Island and 5th Regular batteries were ordered out to com- 
mence firing upon the forts, but as they were of small calibre 
could not do much service, yet did considerable towards 
silencing the batteries. 

Our sharpshooters did about as much as any towards si- 
lencing the Confederates, keeping the gunners from their 
guns. In the afternoon Martin's Battery was ordered out 
to endeavor the silencing of a battery on the left of the en- 
trenchments, and was successful, but with a loss of two 
men and 3 horses; they also had 3 men wounded. About 
4-| o'clock we were ordered into the field and remained until 
about 8 o'clock, when we were ordered back to camp. None 
of us were wounded, although the shell flew around us fast. 
On arriving at camp, the clerk of the company came to me 
with a piece of paper with names on it, and called it the 
guard detail. I felt very tired, don't know as I ever felt 
more so, but being detailed for guard I must attend to it. 
Was about | of an hour putting on the relief, the men being 
very tired and would not go on readily and I couldn't blame 
them, having marched for two days. About i o'clock I was 
relieved by Corporal Wilson, turned in, under my piece, 
and slept until morning. Sunday morning we were routed 
up very early. The Right and Centre sections were or- 
dered into the field to guard our pickets, so as not to allow 



216 HISTORY OF THE 

the rebel cavalry to charge upon them as they had attempt- 
ed to on the day before. Bill Baxter is in the Centre sec- 
tion, and I am in the Left, so he went in, and I remained in 
camp, ^^^hen they returned, about 8 in the evening, I found 
out that they had been exposed to a pretty hot fire from the 
rebel siege guns, but thanks to God, none were injured. 

Captain Martin's Battery being encamped near us, I wit- 
nessed the burial of the two men killed in action, and it was 
a hard sight to see so many brave and courageous men clus- 
tered around their dead comrades, not, as on the day before, 
facing the din and smoke of battle, but bowed down in 
grief, the tears streaming down their manly cheeks. 

Monday was a stormy day, and the Left section was or- 
dered out. As soon as we had reached our position at the 
entrenchments, which had been thrown up during the night, 
the cussed rebels commenced firing upon us, and our Cap- 
tain returned the compliment. They shelled us for about an 
hour, but as their fuzes were cut too long the shells went 
beyond us, and burst in the air. None of us were hurt. 
About 2 in the afternoon it commenced raining, not driz- 
zling rain, but a tough old Virginia rain storm. Tuesday 
returned to camp. 

Wednesday we moved back about a mile, as Gen'l Mc- 
Clellan thought we occupied too conspicuous a position, 
into a cornfield, and the stalks and husks make a very good 
bed. 

Friday the Left section was ordered to guard a party of 
men building a bridge across the river which separates the 
Right of the Army from Yorktown. W^e had only one 
alarm during the day : were relieved by the Centre section 
yesterday morning, and came back to camp. 

Yesterday afternoon I received permission to go with a 
party of two for oysters, so last night had an oyster stew. 
All that was needed to make it rich was butter, milk, peppe?', 
and a few little extras that we must not expect in the Army. 

Sunday night, 6 o'clock: I have just finished my supper 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 217 

of 3 hard breads and a cup of coffee. Oh ! I am getting 
used to High Living. . . . 

State musters are nothing to be compared with the en- 
campments here. General McClellan and his body guard 
are encamped about a quarter of a mile from ours. The 
guard consists of Duryea's Zouave Regiment, a Regiment 
oi Regular Dragoons, and an infantry regiment. 

Billy Baxter and Charlie Jameson have been over to see 
Major Wood. He is on McClellan's staff with the rank of 
major. 

The gunboats that are going to do the mischief are in 
York River, four miles from us, and the Signal Corps have 
been signalling all day to them. 

I believe the ball will roll pretty soon, and if nothing is 
wanting save the number of men, why the place is ours. 
Who knows but what there will be another surrender at 
Yorktown !" 

Note : "At Yorktown on the first day. Corporal T. E. 
Chase was seen when under fire, studying the Manual of the 
Gun — 'Scri'iiio; n'ith reduced numbers.' " 



The Fifth ]\Iass. Battery guarded the new bridge' over 
Wormley Creek by sections on certain days, as follows : — 

The Right section, Lieut. Hyde, April 13th, 15th, i8th, 
2ist, 24th, 27th, 30th, and May 3d. 

Centre section, Lieut. Phillips, April i6th, 19th, 22d, 
25th, 28th and May ist. 

Left section, Lieut. Dillingham, April 14th, 17th, 20th, 
23d, 26th, 29th and May 2d. 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Yorktown, 

Sunday morning April 13, 1862. 

Yesterday morning I relie\-ed Lieut. Dillingham. . . . 
As there were a lot of planks lying round intended for the 
bridge, we set to work and built a house, 12 ft. by 18 ft. 



218 HISTORY OF THE 

roofed with slabs which accommodated about 20 very com- 
fortably. General McClellan is encamped in the field be- 
hind us, and close to him is a regiment of some sort of 
Zouaves with red breeches and white turbans, altogether 
too conspicuous a uniform for comfort in war. ... I am 
getting dreadfully tired of loafing around here doing 
nothing. No drill, no bugle calls, no stirring out of camp 
lest orders should come in our absence, and meanwhile we 
are waiting, waiting, doing nothing. . . . Oysters are 
plenty. Our cook is opening about half a bushel now for 
our dinner.'' 

Grows' Journal: "April 13, 1862. The view where we 
are encamped is splendid, the river is near us. In front, ui 
our rear, and either side, are woods and ravines, with nice, 
cool springs of water. 

Monday April 14. This forenoon at 9 we got our ration 
of hard bread for one day, so as to be ready at 10 to go on 
picket and relieve the section which is guarding the bridge. 
Soon after, we fell in and went over and relieved them, after 
which I made me a little house of boards to sleep in. I then 
dug a hole in front of it to put wood in so I can have a fire. 
We only stand guard of one hour, and are off eight, so it 
comes very easy on us. The rest of the time we dig oysters 
and mussels, and go fishing, or lie down on the grass in the 
shade. At one o'clock the cooks came over with cmr dinner 
of stewed beans. About five o'clock the coffee was brought 
over to us. T built a fire in front of my tent and with Serg't. 
Harry Simonds, and a few others we sat down to chat and 
smoke. At 8 I went on guard for one hour, coming off at 
9-" 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 
"Camp Winfield Scott 

NEAR YORKTOWN, April 1 4, 1 862. 

I give a short journal to show how much time I have to 
myself: Sat'y April 5th marched at daylight. Halted and 
kept in line till 4 p. m., then went into the 'field and stayed 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 219 

til! 8 p. m. Sunday, April 6th, Right and Centre sections in 
the field from 3 a. m. till dark. Wednesday, April 9th, Left 
section in the field. Kept in continual alarm all day and 
routed out at midnight for fear oi an attack. Thursday, 
April loth. Right section in the field, — Lieut. Phillips ac- 
companying. Moved camp in the afternoon. Friday, 
April nth, Left section guarding the bridge 24 hours. 
Sat'y, April uth, Centre section guarding the bridge 24 
hours. Sunday, April 13th, Right section at the bridge. 
Monday, April 14th, Left section at the bridge, Centre sec- 
tion on picket. 

Last night 2^Iartin's and Weeden's batteries were turned 
out by a little skirmish in front. The rebels sallied out and 
cut down the peach orchard and burnt the houses on the left 
and front of the field in which our guns were placed Sun- 
day April 6th. . . . Today I marched my section at 7 a. m. 
into the field where we encamped for the first few days, 
came into Battery, unhitched the horses, watered them, 
picketed them, posted a guard and went to work to pass 
away the time. The picket reserve were close by. This con- 
sists of about 200 men . . . and is intended to support our 
pickets in case they are driven in. . . . Pretty soon up rode 
some officers curious to look at the enemy but there is no 
passing pickets, so back they go. Next come some officers 
of the Signal Corps and they keep on wherever they choose, 
and pretty soon we see the signal flag waving ahead where 



(Re a 



Whif-& 



Signal Fla^* 

it keeps going all day, occasionally shifting its position. 
Then we see a section of artillery coming along the edge of 



220 HISTORY OF THE 

the woods on our left, and pretty soon they come into bat- 
tery and shell away at a rebel earthwork. Towards after- 
noon we hear heavy reports on our right, and conclude that 
the gunboats are trying their hand in the rebel batteries. 

So gradually the day wears on till sunset, when we limber 
up and go home. I shall probably go down to the bridge 
tomorrow. . . . Shipping Point is important as a place 
where we can load heavy stores instead of carting them 
over the roads between us and Fortress Monroe. Porter's 
Division is encamped well in sight of York River in one 
large field, i. e. it may have been several fields, but fences 
are among the things that were. In the same field is the 
Artillery Reserve, with guns too numerous to mention. . . . 
One side of our camp is sheltered by a fence, saved by our 
energetic efforts, which appertains to a large house distin- 
guished as 'the house with blinds on it.' This house is a 
large two story edifice . . . used as a General Hospital for 
our troops. In front of the house is a large peach orchard, 
and the hopes of a speedy reduction of Yorktown are sad- 
dened by the thought that we must leave so many unripe 
peaches behind us. The siege guns have at last been heard 
from. Lieut. Dillingham rode down a couple of miles 
toward Shipping Point last night, and saw in a field several 
30 pdrs. Rifled Guns, one 8 inch Columbiad, and several 8 
or 10 inch mortars. The engineers are at work prospecting 
all round, and I suppose we shall now start some trenches. 
The bridge over the creek which lies between Porter's Di- 
vision and Yorktown, progresses slowly, and I think the at- 
tack will be made in that direction. I just hear that Gen- 
eral Hooker is at Shipping Point, General Sumner in the 
neighborhood of the Severn." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 14. Some of our heavy howitz- 
ers on our left trying to shell out a rebel battery. Small 
fight between the gunboats and rebel batteries." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 221 

Grows' Journal: "Tuesday April 15, 1862. After break- 
fast we laid ourselves out on the grass to wait till we should 
be relieved at 10 o'clock this forenoon. There are about 
300 men here at work building bridges. There are to be 
three of them. There was a pontoon bridge of boats thrown 
across the creek last night. These bridges are fine looking 
ones. . . . About 10 a. m. were relieved, when we went to 
camp. All that I need the most is something to read, and 
that is almost impossible to get, for when a paper does get 
here it is spoken for by most every man that sees it." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 15th, 1862. One bridge fin- 
ished, and a pontoon bridge put on the creek." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp Winfield Scott^ 
Wednesday, April 16, 1862. 

The Centre section is guarding the bridge today, Lieut. 
Plyde having had it yesterday. Nothing momentous has 
occurred. The gunboats have been throwing a few shells 
at the forts and the forts have been throwing a few shells 
at the gunboats. This morning there was a considerable 
heavy firing on the left. 

Hooker's Division came up today, and have encamped 
somewhere in our neighborhood. They are now building- 
four bridges here. The floating bridge is rather a failure, 
as the logs sink as fast as they are put in. i and 2 were 
built by General Morell, and are about finished; 3 and 4 by 
General Martindale, No. i was laid yesterday in 2^ hours. 
No. 4 was commenced this morning, and is nearly finished. 
The width of the creek is about 60 yds. Across the river 
the banks rise up steep, and then there is a level plain to the 
enemy's lines. As soon as the bridges are finished the siege 



222 HISTORY OF THE 

guns and mortars will probably be carried across, and put 
in position, and the Secesli will have an unpleasant time. 
Yesterday afternoon I rode about i-| miles towards Ship 
Point, and found part of the siege train, twelve 4^ inch 
Rifled Guns, eleven 8 inch mortars, nine 10 inch mortars." 

Chase's Diary: "April 16, 1862. Centre section sent to 
guard bridge. Alarm at 7 p. m. when a shell struck in the 
camp of the 226. Mass. Reg't, — General Miles's old regi- 
ment, — but doing no damage. Captain Griffin ordered 
'every man to his post,' and to be ready to load with shrap- 
iiell. Heavy cannonading and sharp musketry firing on the 
extreme left to-day, .and occasional shots through the 
night." 

Phillips' Diary: — "April i6th. . . . Occasional shells 
from gunboats." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

April 17, 1862. 

"Thursday morning. The firing on the left was kept 
up all day, and at supper time the rumor was that we had 
dismounted several pieces of the enemy. Towards evening 
the reports became heavier and I thought I could distinguish 
the boom of a mortar, and the whistling of a heavy shell. 
This morning the firing still continues, having been kept 
up all night. About five o'clock yesterday afternoon the 
enemy appeared to have become excited, and threw several 
shells in rapid succession, into the creek, just below us, 
rather disturbing one of my men who w^as fishing on the 
lower bridge. Some of their shells fell among the pickets 
across the creek and the officers of the Signal Corps who 
were over here were obliged to retreat double quick, with- 
out time to carry away all their things. In a few minutes 
up rode Griffin in a verv excited state. — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 223 

'Every man to the gnns. Load with shrapnell when you 
load, and fire rig-ht at them ! — Two regiments of infantry 
and one of cavah-y have just appeared outside of the Fort.' 

So we got all ready, but nobody appeared. Pretty soon, 
however, two of our regiments crossed over and deployed 
in front of us, and just as I was thinking that the com- 
mander of them had better keep me informed of their move- 
ments if he did not wish a shell amongst them, General Mar- 
tindale rode up and suggested the necessity of my using 
some discretion in firing at the other bank. I have just re- 
turned from the bridge." 



FROM LIFE AND LETTERS OF THE REV. WAR- 
REN II. CUDWORTH, CHAPLAIN iST MASS. . 
INFANTRY. 

"Camp Winfield Scott, 

April 1 8, 1862. 
My Dear Parishioners. 

. . . Here, in 1781, before the Lfnited States became a 
nation, were encamped the regiments of our Revolutionary 
ancestors and their French allies, and on the very ground 
where now are quartered the soldiers of the loyal North, the 
British laid down their arrns, and the independence of the 
United States was practically established. The very house 
where Lafayette had his headquarters is within a few steps 
of my tent, and the site formerly occupied by his seven thou- 
sand troops is freshly consecrated by the presence among 
the forces of two batteries from Massachusetts. The ist 
Reg't. occupies an advanced position about a mile in front 
of General McClellan's headquarters, and only two from the 
strono- earthworks which defend Yorktown." 



224 HISTORY OF THE 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp Winfield Scott, 

April 1 8, 1862. 

There is so much firing now aronnd here that we don't 
get up to look out unless a shell comes in our neighborhood. 
The guns which are in ^plain sight directly in front of our 
tent, and the enemy's water batteries blaze away at each 
other once in a while, but without accomplishing much. 
We can hear the shells whistling through the air, and an in- 
experienced individual would imagine them directly over 
our heads, though they do not come within a mile of us. 
... T do not know whether General McClellan was de- 
ceived in the character of the works to be encountered, but 
General Porter, who stands as high in McC.'s confidence as 
any General of Division had no idea that the rebel fortifi- 
cations were as strong as they really are. The first day was 
only a reconnoissance, as it would be as useless to throw 
stones at a brick wall as to oppose field batteries to earth- 
works armed with 32 pdrs. and 10 in. mortars. Our gen- 
erals soon found that out and are now preparing for an ex- 
tended siege. Nothing can be done without the siege train, 
and this moves slowly. There are now in a field about a 
mile from here, — a kind of depot, — some fifteen 4^ inch 
Rifled Guns, five 100 pdr. Parrott guns, and twenty 8 and 
10 inch mortars, besides three or four 8 in. Howitzers. The 
4^ in. guns and the Howitzers are mounted on siege 
carriages, — something like a field carriage, — the Parrotts 
on wrought iron barbette carriages with chains and trav- 
erse circle. Nothing has yet been done towards opening 
the trenches, but about 400 men are at work across the 
creek in front of our two guns, in making gabions, so you 
see we expect to do some shovelling. . . . Meantime the 
rebels are not idle, but are working like bees, shovellin,^ 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



225 



dirt, that is to say, they are making the negroes work, for 
Lieut. Colonel Alexander, chief of engineers, told me the 
day I was out on picket, that he had just been insjjecting 
them, and he could see nothing but negroes. ... A de- 
serter who came in told the sergeant who had charge of 
him, and the sergeant told one of our men, that our shots 
the first Sunday we were here caused a great commotion in 
the rebel camp, bursting right in the tents. As the Centre 
section of the Mass. 5th was the only one that fired at the 
camp, you will see this story gives some satisfaction. At the 
same time mind I do not vouch for its correctness. [See 
p. 208] . . This afternoon I took a ride towards the various 
landings, — Ship Point, Crab Point, Cheesman's Point, Back 
River Landing, Alelville Point &c. all in the same general 
direction. . . . Close to the seige train in the field afore- 
said is a square redoubt, intended to defend an attack from 
Back River Landing and Ship Point. The redoubt is very 
well built, with a barbette in each corner for a gun, and 
would hold about 300 men. The ditch is full of water. 
[Barbette guns fire over the parapet and have a free range, j 







The magazines are under the ramparts, and are very well 
protected. The barracks are very comfortable, like all 
rebel barracks in this neighborhood, being well built log 
houses. At present the redoubt is occupied as a magazine 
for the ammunition for the siege train, and holds quite a 



226 



HISTORY OF THE 



pile of shells. Farther down the road is what would he 
called in military language a lunette, with a pan coupe (The 
short length of parapet, by which the salient angle of a 
work is sometimes cut off.) at the salient, and the gorge 
stockaded in this shape. 



A. Bis o mere 
•Stoc'kade unflr^ 
no <^ifch. 
Bar-hettes for 
guns af Cy^Eonci 
at the -pan covpe 

d Ditch. 




Ctit-roncc 



Lunette. 



This work was fitted for three guns, and say 200 infantry. 
The ditch was full of water. There were no barracks. The 
platforms for the guns had been laid and taken up again by 
the rebels, or by us. . . . The fortifications at Ship Point 
are said to be very strong. . . . The country round here 
is very flat and dusty. We are encamped in a cornfield 
which is by no means as pleasant as grass land. Peach or- 
chards are very abundant, but I am afraid if we stay here 
till they are ripe there will be more men than peaches. . . . 
We have built up an extensive arbor in front of our tent, 
where we sit in arm chairs made out of barrels and enjoy 
our 'otium cum dignitate' in true military style. The pow- 
ers that be seem to have repented of their reduction of bag- 
gage, for tomorrow the officers will once more have three 
tents, — wall tents," 

Chase's Diary: "April 19, 1862. . . . Roar of musketry 
on extreme left at 9.30 p. m." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 227 

Grows' Journal: "Saturday. April 19, 1862. W^as called 
at I o'clock this morning to go on guard. After going on 
my post my attention was taken up till 3 o'clock by the pass- 
ing of troops with gabions made of wicker work. They 
are filled with earth, and in this way our intrenchments and 
breastworks are built by our troops. Was relieved at 3 this 
morning." 

Phillips' Diary. "April 19. . . . Towards evening an 
easterly storm set in, and rained all night. A great many 
gabions moved across the bridges to this side. A great 
many men with shovels &c. crossed to the other side." 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp Winfield Scott near Yorktown, 

Sunday Forenoon, April 20. 1862. 

We arrived here two weeks ago, expecting to march right 
into Yorktown and have been waiting here ever since with- 
out apparently getting much nearer our object. . . . Our 
principal business now is to guard the bridges across 
Wormley Creek. We have 2 guns posted on a bluff just 
this side of the creek, commanding four bridges, and raking 
the opposite shore. The Battery is well masked with 
bushes, and I doubt whether the enemy know of its exist- 
ence. The three sections relieve each other in this duty, 
each taking it 24 hours at a time, so that I am down there 
one day out of three. The duties are not very laborious. 
We have built up a house out of slabs, roofed with a tar- 
paulin, and we get along very comfortably. Yesterday 
while I was down there, I devoted my energies to building 
a chair, calculating on a prolonged stay. We have built 
up an arbor in front of our tent and rigged up a settee, so 
that we can sit in the shade in the hot days to come. As 
the said settee, however, is rather hard, I thought I would 



228 HISTORY OF THE 

get up something a little more comfortable, and j-esterday f 
I set to work to put my plans in execution. The result has 
fully answered my expectations. I have now a chair, which 




Carnp C/jain 

I consider a triumph of genius and in which I can sit with 
great comfort. My chair is likewise a bedstead, and can be 
made to occupy any intermediate position between these 
two extremes. You may judge of its attractiveness by the 
following incident: — Just after it was completed Major 
(Albert J.) Myer, Chief of the Signal Corps passed by and 
was so struck with it that nothing would satisfy him, but he 
must have one like it, so the man that made mine is going 
to make one for him. . . . 

The siege, — so called, — of Yorktown progresses slowly. 
The siege train is coming up slowly; some 20 guns and 20 
mortars having reached the depot about a mile from here. 
A large force have been at work making gabions, and a 
thousand or two went over the creek last night, with shovels 
and intrenching tools. . . . We have splendid artillery 
here, and ought to drive them out of their position in 48 
hours after our guns are in position. Our siege train is 
made up mostly of 4I inch Rifled Guns, a very accurate and 
long ranged piece of ordnance, and a half dozen 100 pdr. 
Parrott Guns, which seem to have knocked Fort Pulaski to 
pieces. [Fort Pulaski commanded the entrance to the 
Savannah River on the eastern coast of Florida.] The 
enemy have some heavy ordnance e. g. the 10 inch Mortars 
with which they practice at us, and some heavy Columbiads 
in their water batterie.«, but old smooth bore 320 and 240 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 229 

form the most of their armament, while they use still 
smaller pieces a great deal. . . . The military commission 
to Europe, — Major Delafiekl, Major Mordecai and Captain 
McClellan, — found great fault with the allied generals, he- 
cause they attempted to besiege Sebastopol without sur- 
rounding it and cutting off its supplies. General McClellan 
marches his army 200 miles to besiege Yorktown, and 
places it in this position. (See Plan of Operations.) I 
have not yet been able to discern the difference between the 
two situations. And considering the fact that the rebels can 
throw up as many intrenchments as they please between 
Yorktown and Richmond, the siege does not seem to prom- 
ise any very satisfactory results. . . . Referring to the 
Revolutionary map. our general hospital is at Lafayette's 
Headquarters. We are encamped where the Virginia 
militia were. Our bridges are built across Wormley's 
Creek where the old road crossed it to Moore's house or 
rather a little above. [A frame building with a brick foun- 
dation about a mile and a half south of Yorktown, and a 
quarter of a mile from the banks of the York River. The 
commissioners of the two armies met here when Cornwal- 
lis surrendered, to agree upon terms of capitulation. At 
that time it was occupied by a widow of the name of Moore, 
and was known as "Moore's house."] The enemy's works 
extend in a curved line from the British redoubt on the 
shore of the river to the Virginia quarters, our first camp, 
half way between Moore's house and the Adjt. Gen's Quar- 
ters. Our guns placed in position the first two days a little 
farther up the road to the right; Martin's Battery the first 
day to the right of the field where the British laid down 
their arms. . . . The peach orchard to the left has been cut 
down, and the houses close by it burnt by the rebels to pre- 
vent them from sheltering our sharpshooters. The Battery 
to which we directed most of our attention when we were 
in the field is the one nearest the road." 



230 HISTORY OF THE 



FROM ANOTHER LETTER OF THE SAME DATE. 

"Our three tents for the officers arrived yesterday, and 
as soon as the easterly storm, which is the order of the day 
at present, stops, we shall move in. ... I will allow Gen- 
eral McClellan 5 weeks to take the place, and I think by the 
end of that time the soldiers will capture Yorktown. . . . 
The rebels occupy one line across the peninsula and we oc- 
cupy another parallel to it, and allowing that both sides 
can throw up dirt equally fast, they have the advantage of 
us, as they have one pile of dirt all thrown up. As far as I 
can see there is nothing to prevent them from throwing up 
a new line in the rear of their present intrenchments, and so 
continuing the process, and even supposing we could drive 
them out of their fortifications without difficulty by the 
slow process of a siege, it would take considerable time to 
trench from here to Richmond. ... As things are now 
working, the event will be decided by engineering skill, and 
artillery practice. ... In the point of artillery practice our 
army has shown itself immensely superior to the rebels. At 
Hilton Head, Fort Henry, Fort Pulaski, our heavy guns 
were so well manned that the result was inevitable, and 
here it must be the same. Our siege train consisting of the 
best Rifled Guns ought to dismount every rebel gun in 48 
hours, and I have no doubt will do it. At 2,200 yards the 
first Sunday, one of my guns was aimed at a rebel gun, and 
at the second shot landed a shell in the embrasure. This 
from a 3 inch gun. A 4I inch gun of course ranges a great 
deal farther and more accurately at the same distance, and 
the first parallel is generally placed at 600 yards from the 
work attacked. . . . We have also six 100 pdr. Parrott 
Guns which I see went clear through the brick walls of 
Fort Pulaski. ... In the meantime the main body of the 
army will lie back out of danger, unless the garrison make 
a sortie, when we shall drive them back without much diffi- 
cultv. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 231 

April 21, 1862. Mr. Schenkle the inventor of the only 
percussion fuze now in use, who was here to-day, says that 
a 200 pdr. Parrott gun has been mounted on the Point 
across Wormley's Creek, intended to silence the water bat- 
teries of the enemy. . . . Mr. Fay, allotment commissioner 
for Massachusetts, has been here to-day." 



The Roll in charge of this officer has been thus de- 
scribed : — 

"It is a new kind of pay roll made out by the State of 
Massachusetts for her soldiers, and is called the 'Allotment 
Roll.' Each man that wishes to allot a part or whole of his 
money to his parents, friends, or any one, can do so by 
signing the roll. Then after each company has made out 
its roll, and it has been signed, by the company, the Captain 
endorses it and gives it to the Paymaster. The Paymaster 
then sends the money to the State Treasurer, and he sends 
it to the city or town treasurer. Then the city or town 
treasurer notifies the persons to whom the money is sent, 
and they call and get it. The object is to insure safety and 
to save paying the percentage on the money which would 
have to be paid if it was sent by express." 



Phillips' Diary: "April 22, 1862. . . . Set to work and 
built a frame house 18x13 ft., 4 ft. high at the eaves, 8 ft. 
high at the ridge." 

THE TRENCHES.— YORKTOWN. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, 

Camp Winfield Scott near 

YoRKTOWN Va. April 23d. 1862. 

General Orders. [Extracts.] 

The following orders for the construction of batteries and trenches 



232 HISTORY OF THE 

during the operations before Yorktown, will be strictly observed, viz. — 

Night working parties will be double the size of day parties, one- 
half forming a support to the guard. 

(IN CASE OF AN ATTACK.) 

The buglers and drummers, — of whom there should always be some 
in the parallels with the officers commanding the firing parties and sup- 
ports, — immediately sound "to arms" or beat the "long roll," which 
will be repeated all along the lines, and as far back as the re- 
serves. . . . 

The utmost silence and order must be preserved in the trenches, 
and in marching to and from them. All working parties for the 
trenches will go equipped for action. 

To prevent the glistening of the bayonets and arms betraying the 
movements of the troops, bayonets will be carried in the scabbard, and 
the gun slung while going to and from the trenches. 

An officer will be sent with each relief of the guards and working 
parties to the batteries and trenches, who will return to his camp to 
escort the next relief to their proper position. 

No officer, soldier, or citizen, shall be allowed to enter the trenches, 
or to approach their vicinity, unless specially detailed on dutv there. 
The only exception to this rule, will be in the case of General Officers, 
the staff of the Major Gen. Commanding, and the staff officers of the 
Generals near the trenches. 

[All officers or men who unnecessarily exposed themselves to the 
view of the enemy, with the above exceptions, were to be arrested and 
sent to the nearest Provost Marshal.] 

By command of Major General McClellan 

S. Williams Ass't Adj't. Gen'l. 



FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Thursday morning. April 24. 1862. The 5th Battery 
now can bear comparison with any battery in the service, 
and does not fall below the average standard in this Divi- 
sion. Griffin's Battery is of course well drilled. All regu- 
lars are." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 25, 1862. . . . Built a turf chim- 
ney and fireplace in the house : cold, easterly storm all day 
and night." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 233 

Grows' Journal : "Friday, April 25, 1862. This fore- 
noon I got some 'laurel root,' a very pretty wood, and made 
a pipe. It looks very neat and nice. The wood grows quite 
plenty around here. There is the usual amount of heavy 
firing from the large guns. We hear it so much that I have 
got used to it." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"April 26, 1862. The Doctor of the N. Y. 44th occa- 
sionally drops in with a New York daily, and Mr. Whitte- 
more reporter for the N. Y. Times, brought in this morn- 
ing's Times and Herald of the 23d, still as I received Bos- 
ton papers of the 22d, last night, I keep posted as well as 
anybody. . . . The house which we first built was soon 
carried off, to build the bridges, and nothing was left behind 
but a few slabs and joists. The other sections got along 
with a patched up arrangement which lets in wind, rain and 
cold, and kept everybody pretty uncomfortable. Last Tues- 
day, however, when the Centre section got down there, I 
set to work to see what we could do, and the ingenuity of 
the section soon planned an edifice, which I consider one 
of the wonders of the w^ar. This building is 13 by 17 ft, 
gable ended, all framed together, and all pinned together 
with oaken pins. The sides are made of slabs put on clap- 
board fashion, one end being built of oak timbers 14 inches 
square. The roof is made of a tarpaulin, full as light as 
canvas. It is 4 ft. high at the eaves, and 8 ft. at the ridge 
pole, so that we can stand up and walk around with great 
comfort. . . . During the last three or four days an east- 
erly storm has prevailed, and we found that our hotel would 
be uncomfortable without a fire, so yesterday the Centre 
section again took hold and built a fireplace and chimney 
of turf on one side of the house, cutting a hole in the side. 
The chimney draws beautifully, and all yesterday and last 
night we kept up a roaring fire. The floor is made of oak 



234 



HISTORY OF THE 



slabs, smooth side up, pretty well levelled, but with occa- 
sional cracks three or four inches in width. We spread our 
blankets on the floor, put a sloping board down for a pil- 
low, and turn in. 

The following plan will give you an idea of how we pack. 

Sft fireplace. 



Corp.f^ljye,^ 

B- Groh a m. 



\J.iy.C7arX 

I T- 

\AHosKTns. 

r-Trn Y 

-HI ;i| ?| I 

C.A.P. |l e 5 ^rt.c-ha^^. 

\\^\^\ [--- — 

Corp.A77en^ 
QMLeacTt. i 




Door 



Wo^ 



/ej^j 



Cr: 



We have got our wall tent, Scott and T having one, but as 
the Captain's tent is the only one with a stove in it, we have 
no chance yet to enjoy it. I like the tent much better than 
a Sibley. It is 9 ft. square, and about 9 ft. high, four feet 
high at the eaves. It is not so large as the Sibley tent, but 
the room is so disposed that it can all be used. The beds 
are placed on each side, leaving a clear space in the middle 
with a table, looking glass, &c. opposite the door. The 
only trouble is that the tents are not new, and ours has got 
a hole ripped in the end opposite the door, which we find it 
difficult to stop up. . . . A N. Y. Lieut. Colonel and Major 
deserted day before yesterday and went to Yorktown. How 
much information they can carry I do not know. Two bat- 
teries have been established by our side in the woods to 
the right of the field where our Battery was placed the first 
Sunday, and four 4^^ inch guns have been mounted in one 
of them. The mortars will be placed on the opposite shore 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 235 

of Wormley's Creek, at the end of the bridges which we are 
guarding. The bank has been cut away. ... In this posi- 
tion they will be completely sheltered and out of sight of 
the enemy, while they can be fired with perfect ease, it be- 
ing of no consequence that the mark should be in sight from 
the mortar. 

April 26, 1862. Two batteries we have built and four 
guns we have mounted. These are so near the rebel forti- 
fications that the men at work on them are not allowed to 
speak a loud word. The trees are still standing in front of 
them, so that the rebels cannot ascertain their exact posi- 
tion, though they know we are doing something in the vi- 
cinity; accordingly they amuse themselves by shelling the 
woods but without doing any particular damage to any- 
body. The floating bridge which I mentioned in one of my 
letters as being rather a failure, has been taken up, and the 
materials used to build a bridge still lower down the creek. 
. . . There is now great fault found with the artillery am- 
munition, and I do not think that McC. can shift all the 
blame on the Ordnance Department. Take one instance : 
before we left Hall's Hill, every artillery officer in the Army 
knew that the percussion ammunition furnished to iis was 
utterly unreliable. The percussion fuze universally adopted 
is Schenkle's, the best yet invented, but the shot preferred 
by the Ordnance Department was found to be unreliable. 
Of all the percussion shell which we fired at Hall's Hill, 
only two proved at all satisfactory, and these were fired at 
the very short range of 200 yards. The rest turned over, 
burst in the air, and flew round in all sorts of ways, the 
greater number not being seen or heard of after they left 
the muzzle of the guns. Still knowing all this, half the bat- 
teries in the Army were supplied with the Dyer shot. The 
consequence was that in the first day's fight at Yorktown. 
the percussion ammunition exploded pretty much every- 
where, at the muzzle of the gun, and everywhere else, ex- 
cept the right place. As soon as the news of this reached 



236 HISTORY OF THE 

headquarters there was a great hullaballoo. Mr. Schenkle 
(see p. 125) was sent for post haste, and new ammunition 
was ordered, and the Ordnance Department blamed gen- 
erally and particularly. . . . Again the 4I in. siege guns it 
is said proved to be a failure before we left Washington, 
and yet McClellan accepts a train of them though greatly 
inferior to the Parrott gun, and the bombardment of Fort 
Pulaski has demonstrated that the James projectile is im- 
mensely superior to either. Then I don't know but what 
it shows generalship to draw up our Army in front of the 
rebel lines without any chance to outflank or surround 
them. . . . We can storm the works, of course, but this 
we might have done a great deal better the first day when 
the enemy were surprised and before they were reinforced. 

Sunday evening, April 27th. . . . Our bridge builders 
seem to have changed their plans. They have taken up the 
upper pontoon bridge and the floating bridge, and carried 
the materials of the latter a short distance down the stream 
to build a pier bridge, which sank into the mud as soon as it 
was finished, so that now about 50 feet of the centre are un- 
der water. The lower pontoon bridge is at present defended, 
in addition to our Battery, by a pine log and a barrel 
mounted on wheels ! Our house at the bridge still continues 
in excellent condition, the Right section today actually did 
a little work on it, raising the chimney a few feet. Sergt. 
Peacock says that the rule of the section is to put under ar- 
rest any man who does anything more than what is abso- 
lutely necessary to sustain life. . . . Staunton and Weldon 
are turning out to be important. Perhaps McClellan's plans 
are deeper than anybody thinks. . . . The whole siege 
train has all disappeared, and I presume guns and mortars 
are all mounted somewhere, ready to open when the word 
is given. 

At present there is quite a rage for pipe making here. At 
least half of the men in the Division are carving pipes out 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 237 

of laurel root, and I am not sure but I shall take to it my- 
self, though whether I shall make a pipe, salt cellar or 
toothpick I have not yet decided. . . . Five Parrott lOO 
pdrs. have been mounted near a large house between Worm- 
ley's Creek and the river . . . one from which a very 
good view could be obtained of the rebel fortifications. 
Very extensive works have been erected on the other side of 
the creek, and the rebels occasionally try to shell out our 
workmen. This morning there was quite a noise for a few 
minutes as they threw out a field battery, and fired as fast 
as they could load for about 15 minutes. The gunboats 
have been firing a few shots today, and seemed to have got 
the range better." 

On this day General Fitz John Porter was appointed Di- 
rector of the Siege. 

Grows' Journal : ''Sunday, April 27th. I spent a very 
pleasant forenoon and portion of this afternoon reading the 
American Union and the Herald." 

Letter of Corporal Spear: "Monday, April 28, 1862. 
. . . Every day thousands and thousands of men are at 
work throwing up entrenchments and digging rifie pits for 
the use of our Army in the coming battle; the infantry regi- 
ments do the fatigue duties, while batteries do guard duty. 
Yesterday there was considerable firing between the rebels 
and our gunboats, and several times during the day a bat- 
tery of field artillery would come out and fire upon our 
fatigue men." 

Grows' Journal: "Tuesday, April 29, 1862. Was called 
at I o'clock this morning to go on my post, which I did, 
coming off at 3, when I. was relieved. There has been some 
awful heavy firing by the rebels and our gunboats all night. 
I can plainly see the flashes of their guns every time they 
fire. I went to my tent and laid down and read the Herald 
and the Journal that I had borrowed. I had read about 
half an hour when the camp was awakened by the call 
Hitch up. I had not more than got to my place, when an 



238 HISTORY OF THE 

order came into camp — 'Un Hitch/ so we all went to our 
tents again. It was expected the rebels would make a sortie 
out on some of the regiments and if they had they would 
have been cut to pieces." 

Later in the day he saw 15 rebel prisoners who had been 
taken that morning. 

LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE. 

"Camp near Yorktown Va. 

April 29. 1862. 

We were paid off yesterday, and all is lovely again. 
For the last two months our standard currency has been 
hard bread : five hard breads for a sheet of paper, and a 
whole day's ration for a postage stamp. We have eaten 
hard tack so long that now it is second nature to us, and 
1 believe that if worst came to worst we could masticate 
flint. We live on hard tack; hard tack is our money; we 
use them for dipper covers and candlesticks, and if they 
were large enough we should make them into 'spare wheels' 
for our gun carriages, but hard tack are of no account now 
for money, which is the one thing needful, is plenty. 

We are in camp today, but the Right section is at the 
Bridge, and while I am penning this I can hear the enemy's 
shells bursting very near the Battery. They are nervou.-; 
about something today, for they have blazed away quite 
brisk this a. m. Their firing is all guess work, and has not 
yet done any harm. They cannot see the bridges or work- 
men, but fire as near as they can judge, and try to shell the 
men at work on the bridges and siege guns. 

You say your business is dull. Well, our business out 
here is 'looking up.' . . . All the canvas we have on hand is 
what makes the roof of our house, iron remains quiet, but 
there is a prospect of an upward tendency, as we have a big 
contract to fill in Yorktown. We are doing something in 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 239 

lead, and expect that trade in this hne will be very active 
soon. 

You say that Easter Sunday was observed as a day of 
Thanksgiving and prayer for the recent victories of our 
army. I attended divine service that day with the 17th 
N. Y. Regiment. 

There is so much confusion in the tent that I hardly know 
what T have written or am writing." 

At the close of this letter reference is made to the lint 
which was prepared by individuals and by the ladies of the 
Soldiers' Aid Societies (see p. 2) at the North, meeting at 
their own houses or in the church vestries to " scrape lint" 
and roll linen bandages. He says : — 

" I have the package of bandages and lint, which you 
kindly gave me, and before Yorktown is taken they will be 
needed, if not by me they will by others. When you gave 
them to me I did not realize that they would ever be needed 
for the purpose for which they were so carefully prepared, 
but the stern reality is fast approaching." 



FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"April 30, 1862. Our preparations go on gradually: 
they are now building the mortar beds, having taken a lot 
of oak timbers which were lying round our Battery at the 
bridge for that purpose. One of the pontoon bridges was 
taken up two days ago, and the pontoons are being used to 
bring planks, shot and shell, up the creek. The gunboats 
hre 15 or 20 shots a day, make a great deal of noise and 
accomplish very little. We want an ironclad gunboat to 
sail up York River past the water batteries, and take the 
rebel lines in the rear .... the 'Galena' is an iron clad 
steamer of 6 guns . . . she is now at Fortress Monroe. . . . 
5 p. m. We were mustered this afternoon at 2 o'clock, in 



240 HISTORY OF THE 

the midst of a rain storm, by Captain Griffin. As a muster 
for pay includes a parade, inspection, and roll call, you can 
imagine the pleasure of the thing. About noon the rebels 
seemed to have a new idea in their heads, for they suddenly 
tlirew 3 shot towards the battery by the house. . . . Five 
I GO pdr. Parrotts sent back our answer, and have been bang- 
ing away ever since. We can hear the whir-r-r-r of the shell 
as it flies through the air, the thud as it strikes, and then 
the explosion. Two shells upset after leaving the gun, as 
we could tell by the irregular sound they made." 

Phillips' Diary : "'April 30th. The rebels continually 
shell our intrenchments across Wormley's Creek, and Mon- 
day killed one man in the N. Y. 44th." 

RELATIVE TO RECRUITS see p. 194. 

War Department 

Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, May i. 1862. 
General Orders 
No. 49. 

Upon requisition made by Commanders of Armies in the field, 
authority will be given by the War Department to the Governors of the 
respective States to recruit Regiments now in service. 
By Order of the Secretary of War. 

L. Thomas 
Adjutant General. 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"May 2, 1862. We have established batteries of siege 
guns and mortars, — 11 batteries at least, — but as yet they 
are not ready to open. The only exception to this is Bat- 
tery No. I of five 100 pdr, Parrott guns, which now fires 
once in a while through the day and night. Last night 
when I was down at the bridge the noise was incessant all 
night, and I could hardly get a wink of sleep. Their prin- 
cipal attention seemed to be directed to our earthworks, and 
as most of the shell exploded within 500 or 600 yards of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 241 

our guns, the noise was rather disagreeable. This fore- 
noon the performance has been kept up, and Battery No. 
I has had quite a duel with the rebels. . . . We can see the 
rebels' shots strike in a large field where they are pretty sure 
not to hurt anybody. One of their shots struck close by a 
large barn, and with our glasses we could see our men run- 
ning to pick it up. During the forenoon the rebels ap- 
peared to get a little excited, for they elevated their gun 
and sent a shot whirring clear over our camp towards Gen. 
]McC.'s headquarters. Last night our guard at Wormley's 
Creek reports that they sent one shell right into the camp 
fire of the heavy artillerists encamped across the creek. Our 
house at the bridge we extended yesterday, making it now 
about 25x13 feet. Our quarters there are altogether the 
best we have, although my tent is pretty comfortable. 

THE PROVOST GUARD. 

One of the institutions round here is the Provost Guard 
which makes itself particularly obtrusive. The guard is 
stationed all over the Division about half a dozen at each 
])ost. They pitch their shelter tents and keep one man on 
the lookout all the time : and then woe betide civilian or pri- 
vate soldier, who attempts to cross their beat without a 
pass. There are three posts down by the bridge, and one 
about 50 ft. from our tents, and many more, scattered all 
around the lot. 

THE SUTLER. 

Another institution, rather more popular, is the sut- 
ler's, which is now exceedingly well patronized. One is 
in sight from our camp, and I should think at least 50 
men have been standing outside the door ever since pay 
day, three days ago. Prices run rather high and change is 
not to be had. The unlucky wight who has nothing but a 



242 HISTORY OF THE 

$5 treasury note, — and this includes most of the army, — 
and wants a pound of tobacco, must take his change in sut- 
lers' tickets, or go without his tobacco. . . . P. S. Our 
Quartermaster Sergeant, just returned from Fortress Mon- 
roe, says that the 'Galena' will be here in a few days." 

THE EVACUATION. 

Chase's Diary: "May 3, 1862. Yorktown was evacliated 
today by the enemy. The Right section was withdrawn in 
the evening. Terrific shelling by our gunboats." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Sunday Morning, May 4, 1862. 

The American Flag waves over the fortifications of 
Yorktown, and McClellan can again advance to occupy the 
deserted intrenchments of the enemy. 

For the last week there have been rumors that the enemy 
were leaving, and last night they took their final departure, 
burning up what they could not take with them. We were 
awakened in the night by the firing of the outposts, and a 
bright light was seen over Yorktown, and this morning our 
troops took quiet possession. The gunboats have been sig- 
nalled to move up the river. We are ordered to march to- 
morrow with two days' cooked rations, forage &c." 



Grows" Journal : "Sunday, May 4, 1862. Went on my 
post at 2 this morning. I had not been on more than an 
hour when I heard heavy cannonading in the direction of 
Yorktown. In about ten minutes it was almost deafening. 
In a short time I noticed quite a fire which soon increased 
to a tremendous large one. I first thought the fight on the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 243 

Right liad begun but I soon found that the rebels were de- 
stroying their stores and some of their works. The reports 
of the large guns and the rattle of musketry were both 
awful and sublime. Shortly after 7 o'clock word was re- 
ceived in camp that the rebels had evacuated Yorktown, 
During the night if Pandemonium had been let loose it 
would not have caused more excitement than did the leav- 
ing of Yorktown ! Drums that they have not dared to beat 
for the last four weeks; bugles that have not sounded since 
we have come here, now opened their music, and never was 
a Fourth of July at home equal to it. It is a beautiful morn- 
ing and the bands are playing the 'Star Spangled Banner,' 
'America,' and 'Hail Columbia.' Soon the different camps 
take up the cheering, and it can hardly be described, for 
from the throats of 100,000 men cheer after cheer went up, 
and thanks that the place is ours and without the loss of 
blood. Divine service was held in the different camps in 
commemoration of the event. 

This place has been for the last four weeks one of dread 
both to our officers and men, and now that the place is ours 
our feelings can hardly be described. It does look good to 
see our old flag flying over the rebels' rag. Some of our 
men have gone to the city. They found about 1000 barrels 
of flour and a large quantity of stores. I have a piece of 
the house where Gen. Washington was at the surrender ot 
Cornwallis. We have had orders to pack our knapsacks, 
and be ready to start at any moment. Went to Roll at 6. 
It did seem good to have our old bugle again." 

Chase's Diary: ". . . Reconnoissance by balloon 'In- 
trepid' this morning. Whole company in camp to-day; 
(May 4th) first time for three weeks," 

Diary of Lieut. Phillips: "May 5th 1862. Still at Camp 
Winfield Scott. Heavy firing all day towards Williams- 
burg. Rumors of all sorts round camp. Hitched up at 
5 p. m., unhitched 15 minutes after, and unharnessed at 
I in the mornine." 



244 HISTORY OF THE 

LETTER OF PELEG W. BLAKE. 

"YoRKTOWN, May 5. 1862. 

Saturday night (May 3d) there was 'right smart' hot 
work here. The shells were bursting in all directions, and 
our big siege guns were 'giving them Hail Columbia.' The 
old original Duryea's Zouaves, the red breeches, charged on 
the right fort, and the rebels kft Yorktown without eating 
their breakfast. We took all of their big guns and two 
thousand prisoners, and General Smith on the left wing- 
took nine thousand prisoners, two batteries of light artil- 
lery, all hitched up ready for a start. On the Right, in front 
of where we are, they cut the traces from their guns, and 
left with their horses in double quick time. 

Our troops are chasing the rebels up. While I am writ- 
ing we are having a big battle close by. The rebels set all 
kinds of traps to kill our troops when we went into the 
streets of Yorktown. You could not tip over a barrel, or 
anything else, but what had a string attached to a big shell 
or some kind of torpedoes, that would kill five or six men 
every time they did anything or moved anything. Wher- 
ever you could see the dirt thrown up loosely, look out for 
your feet, or else they would be catching in some string an 
inch under the dirt, and then shells would explode. 

Our folks got plenty of tobacco." 

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASS. 
BATTERY. 

"At Yorktown the rebels buried shells underground 
which exploded when our forces entered the Fort. The 
gate of the Fort stood open. A heavy shell was planted 
there which the opening of the gate would have exploded. 
Our Army declined to enter there. A man who made a 
hole for a telegraph pole was terribly mangled, and 6 cav- 
alry men and 2 horses were killed in that way." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 245 



NOTES OF LIEUT. HYDE MAY 21, 1900. 

Accompanied by Lieut. Dillingham and Lieut. Daniel 
Tompkins of the Signal Corps, Lieut. Hyde on the morn- 
ing succeeding the evacuation of Yorktown, rode into the 
city on "Black Charley,"' passing circuitously by the marks 
set up to indicate the presence of buried torpedoes, placed 
there for the purpose of blowing up whoever might step 
upon them. They rode round and examined the fortifica- 
tions for a half hour, and then went back to camp. 

Grows' Journal : "Monday, May 5, 1862. Was awakened 
about 6 this morning by the rain. I should think by ap- 
pearances that it has rained hard all night. Heard heavy 
cannonading at a distance. The rebels have done all that 
human ingenuity could desire to fix traps for our men. In 
some places you will see an overcoat laying on the ground, 
but it will not do to pick it up, for to it is attached a string 
leading to a fuze containing powder, so when the garment 
is picked up it causes the powder to explode and by this 
means destroy our men. Torpedoes are covered with dirt 
in the street and should horse or man step upon one it is 
death. In fact the whole place is mined, and so, to prevent 
accidents, small red flags are placed near these infernal 
articles, to give a person warning. One of the 22d stepped 
upon one which killed him and wounded five others. I saw 
them when they were brought into the Hospital." 

Phillips' Diary: "Tuesday, May 6, 1862. Visited York- 
town with Captain Allen and Dillingham, Scott and Terry. 
Fort quite formidable. Visited the redoubt which was en- 
gaged the first Sunday." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp Winfield Scott, 

Tuesday, May 6, 1862. 

My writing materials have been packed up for the last 
two days. . . . Day before yesterday we kept receiving or- 
ders about every ten minutes, each one contradicting the 



246 HISTORY OF THE 

one which preceded it. Finally, however, we remained be- 
hind, Porter's Division being placed in the Third Reserve, 
while others pushed on ahead. The gunboats left and went 
up the river. Yesterday ... we could hear heavy firing 
up the river, lasting through the day. ... In the after- 
noon Lieut. Hyde went into Yorktown with an ofificer of 
the Signal Corps, but did not bring back any trophies. The 
houses were completely stripped. The streets of Yorktown 
are filled with ten inch shell, with percussion caps buried 
just below the ground, and several of our men have been 
killed by them. Last night about eight o'clock, just as we 
had made up our minds that we should not move, came an 
order to hitch up. The night was pitch dark, but in less 
than 15 minutes we were ready for a move. I was looking 
after the Captain to report my section all ready, when there 
came an order to unhitch and leave the horses at the picket 
rope. So we turned in and at i, came an order to unhar- 
ness. Today is very pleasant and the bands are going all 
round. 

Tuesday Eve: I have just returned from a visit to York- 
town. . . . The works are well built, with traverses and 
blindages in the most approved fashion : [Traverses were 
masses of earth, thrown up at short distances, to screen the 
troops from shot and shells fired in ricochet, that is, by the 
rebounding of a shot which strikes in more spots than one. 
Blinds were covers of timber, bundles of brushwood or 
earth, under which guns w^ere secure from projectiles reach- 
ing them at the top or in flank.] heaps of sandbags seem to 
present an obstacle to a shell in whatever direction it should 
come. The guns, some 40 or 50 in number, are mostly 
stolen from Uncle Sam : old pattern 32 pdrs. and 24 pdrs., 
some few 42 pdrs., two 9 inch, some 8 inch, — 64 pdrs., — 
one 8 in. mortar, and a number of 32 pdr. Howitzers or 
carronades. They had had six guns of their own manu- 
facture,— -Richmond, 1862, — one 10 inch Columbiad and 
fi-we Rifled Guns of 4 or 5 in. calibre. Four of these Rifled 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 247 

Guns are now burst : the fragments being thrown round 
promiscuously, one 32 pdr. is burst also. Very few of the 
guns are spiked. The guns of rebel make are rough cast, 
not turned, and probably never tested till tried here. The 
10 inch gun was mounted in the eastern corner of the works, 
and commands nearly f of a circle. This is the place where 
the shots of Battery No. i were directed and the traces of 
(mr shots are plainly visible. One struck in a traverse, 
knocking the sandbags right and left, two ploughed deep 
furrows in the parapet, and another went through the rebel 
barracks, knocking down the chimney in its path. The 
water batteries were very well built and kept. There were 
four on the bluff, armed as follows, from east to west : — 
No. I, two 32 pdrs. No. 2, three 32 pdrs. No. 3, four 32 
pdrs. No. 4 four Columbiads. Each battery was provided 
with magazine and furnace for heating shot, and sandbag 
traverses. Down on the beach were two more batteries, 
which I did not go into. Grape, [Large shot, usually nine, 
sewed together in cylindrical bags, made to fit, like car- 
tridges, into cannon.] canister shot, and shell were lying 
round in great profusion. [Canister shot is a tin cylinder 
with iron heads, filled with balls packed in with sawdust.] 



/ 4Z p dr: 
Z. Z4pd-n 

3. Pif7ed Gun (lur-^f) 

4. 32 pd-r H owii'^ qt: 



Relel Bedouht 

I brought away S(^me canister shot. The work which we 
engaged the first Sunday is a redoubt about half a mile in 
advance of the main line, armed with one 42, one 24, one 32 
Howitzer and one Rifled Gun burst. 




248 HISTORY OF THE 

A bloodstain on the ground where a man was blown up 
by one of the rebel infernal machines, and a little red flag 
about ten feet from it, admonished us to be careful in walk- 
ing, and so we did not extend our investigations very far. 
The rebels have shown great ingenuity in constructing in- 
fernal machines for our especial benefit, but since the first 
day no accident has occurred. They all consist of a ten inch 
shell with percussion cap hidden in various ways. They 
are buried ail round the top just level with the ground, 
ready to go off as soon as stepped on. One house seems to 
have been the particular object of their ingenuity, shells be- 
ing placed in all convenient spots. Under a table in the 
corner of the room was placed a coffee pot which most per- 
sons would naturally seize as soon as they saw it, but the 
coffee pot was tied by a small thread to a weight hung di- 
rectly over the cap of a lo inch shell, so that the weight 
would fall as soon as the coffee pot was moved. Then the 
cellar floor was paved with similar machines at the foot of 
the stairs, all ready to be stepped on. In this same house 
there is one room which no one has yet dared to enter, for 
a ten inch shell is lying on a table in the middle. Nothing 
can be seen to touch it off, but still people are suspicious 
here. Two of the magazines have not yet been opened, and 
we shall have to be careful. . . . We searched in vain to 
find some trophies, such as pipes, buttons, etc. The guns as 
yet have not been much meddled with, as they are loaded 
with — the Rebels only know what. One little rifled piece, 
the one which has fired so much in the direction of our 
guard at the bridge, had a shell sticking out at the muzzle, 
which I looked at but concluded to let remain. In another 
place I noticed a heap of shell and cartridges half buried in 
the sand, and I thought that prudence would dictate that 
they should be touched off with a very long lo foot pole." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 249 



FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

Written May io, 1862. On Board Steamer New 
Haven^ York River, about the Fortifications at 
York TOWN. 

"The works are well constructed as far as the details go, 
of the general plan of the works I don't know enough to 
speak. I have learned this, — that it is not the quantity of 
dirt in a fortification that makes it strong, as much as the 
manner in which it is arranged. There was a great pile of 
dirt shovelled here, but the dimensions of the ramparts are 
nothing more than those of an ordinary field work. The 
height of the rampart and the depth of the ditch are per- 
haps 12 ft. on an average, or 24 ft. from the bottom of the 
ditch to the top of the rampart, but this would soon be 
diminished under the operations of breaching batteries. 
The batteries which we have already planted would prob- 
ably have dismounted most of the rebel guns in the first 12 
hours of the bombardment. Battery No. 2 in the few scat- 
tering shots fired lately, had planted 3 shells within 30 feet 
of their 10 inch Columbiads, and was placed to enfilade all 
their water batteries." 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN ALLEN. 

After the evacuation Colonel Stephen W. Stryker, of the 
44th New York Regiment Infantry, garrisoned Yorktown, 
entering the city the next morning. He sent a note to Cap- 
tain Allen inviting him to dine with him that day, and, tak- 
ing an orderly with him. Captain Allen rode in from camp. 
After dinner Colonel Stryker said : 

"Come with me. I. want to show 3^ou something." 
They went round to several places, finally bringing up at 
the building here described by Phillips and saw everything 
as here stated. 



250 HISTORY OF THE 

This note is added, — after reading the letter as here 
transcribed, — by Captain George D. Allen, April 19, 1900. 

A few days later Corporal Spear made his visit to the 
fortifications at Yorktown while the Battery was waiting 
for the infantry to go on board the steamer. He says : — 

"Having nothing to do the Captain gave permission to 
go and view the enemy's works. At the main entrance, 
which we entered, there were laid quantities of torpedoes 
for the purpose of destroying our soldiers should they at- 
tempt to enter the fortifications. I, in company with my 
sergeant, went all about the works and viewed the guns 
&c, which the rebels had left behind in their retreat. Many 
of the guns mounted in the fort were good, and some very 
poor: their magazines splendid and well stored with am- 
munition, but their quarters were far different, everything 
in disorder and confusion and very filthy. I managed to 
find several relics." 

REPORT OF GENERAL PORTER. 

Of the services of the Division of Artillery under his 
command during the thirty days of the siege, General Fitz 
John Porter says in his report : — 

"I desire also to express my gratification at the gallant 
and efficient service of the Division of Artillery, under the 
immediate direction of Captain Charles Griffin, 5th Artil- 
lery, whose reports of service rendered and losses in respect- 
ive batteries were forwarded in proper time. Often exposed 
to a hot fire from the enemy, and meeting with some losses, 
these batteries were examples of superior discipline and in- 
struction, and the conspicuous coolness, gallantry, bravery 
and skill of the officers and men, merited the highest com- 
mendation. These batteries were : D. 5th Artillery, Captain 
Charles Griffin; C. Rhode Island Artillery, Captain 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 251 

Weeden; C. & E. Massachusetts (Light) Artillery, com- 
manded respectively by Captain A. P. Martin and Captain 
(Geo. D.) Allen." 

Grows' Journal: "Thursday, May 8, 1862. Struck my 
tent at 5 and Ijegan our march. Arrived in Yorktown at 7 
this morning, found that the transports were not ready, so 
we went 'into park' and set our picket rope, then the men 
were dismissed except the guard. Harry Simonds and my- 
self then went into the town. The rebels could have held 
it against awful numbers. There are not many buildings in 
the place, but the fortifications are equal to a Sevastopol or 
a Gibraltar. I passed into the Water Battery and examined 
it, a most splendid work, then passed into the lot where the 
dead were buried. 

There were in all about 60 graves in this lot, and 25 in 
another. Had quite a stroll through the place. At 3 this 
afternoon we hitched out again and went to the wharf, and 
had to get the guns ready to go aboard. We had to wait 
till half past eleven at night before we could load, then we 
commenced in good earnest." 

Chase's Diary: ''May 8, 1862. Turned out at 2 a. m. 
and packed up, hitched up, and left Camp Winfield Scott at 
sunrise and marched to Yorktown; halted just outside the 
village and unharnessed the horses. At 8 p. m. embarked 
on steamer 'New Haven' and lay moored in the stream all 
night." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT HOUSE. 
MAY 27, 1862. 

"And many a brave man from the war 

Came feeble and maimed of limb. 
Bullet-scar and sabre-scar 
And fevered weakness, sadder far, 

Were Glory's marks on him ! 
These living martyrs of the war — 
Who tells us where they are?" 

— RossiTER W. Raymond, Captain U. S. V. 
— I'ision and Duty. 

The latest plan of the Peninsula campaign would have 
been successful, General McClellan asserted in his report, if 
supported with appreciation of its necessities, but which 
failed because of the repeated failure of promised support 
at the most critical, and, as it proved the most fatal moment. 
"The illustration of the heroism of the Army in the aban- 
donment of one plan and the originating of another," he 
says, "must be left for the pen of the historian in times of 
calm reflection, when the nation shall be looking back to 
the past from the midst of peaceful days," 

THE POINT OF ATTACK. 

The James River was open to the Union fleets. This had 
been made possible by the destruction on March 9, 1862, of 
the rebel ram "Merrimac" by the U. S. "Monitor." 

The historian of the Fifth Army Corps observes that 
"May II, 1862, McClellan's military instinct demanded the 
immediate movement of his Army to the James River as a 

252 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 253 

base." General John E, Wool telegraphed him on 
May 1 2th. — "Your flank will be protected on the James 
River, etc. etc.," and this "military instinct" which was not 
allowed to sway the wisdom of the controlling- powers, was 
proven to have been founded on the best judgment, for be- 
fore the close of June it was demonstrated to the world that 
a strategic movement resting on the Chickahominy, such as 
was then on foot, was but the "baseless fabric of a dream." 

Two main roads run down the Peninsula from near Wil- 
liamsburg, one following the York River goes to York- 
town, the other following the course of the James, crosses 
the Warwick at I.ee's mills. 

A mile east of Williamsburg where these roads come to- 
gether, was Fort Magruder the centre of the enemy's works, 
13 in all, which stretched across the intervening space be- 
tween the two rivers. 

Williamsburg, the seat of William and Mary College 
chartered in 1693, is built on the ridge of the Peninsula, 3 
miles from the James River and 4 from York River. It is 
distant from Richmond 60 miles, Hampton 36 miles, and 
Yorktown 12 miles. 

BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

Grows' Journal of May 9th has the following entry : — 
"At 2 o'clock this morning I came aboard the steamer New 
Haven, spread out my blankets on deck and turned in. We 
got underweigh at 3 this afternoon with two schooners in 
tow, having our horses on board. At 6 this evening we ar- 
rived off West Point but finding the tide low we did not un- 
load. 

Saturday, Alay 10, 1862. Had breakfast of hard bread 
and water, then went on deck to look around. This is a 
very pretty place. The beach extends for miles, very hard 
and smooth. I should like to live here, and it seems hard 
to have this place disturbed by war. The water as far as I 



254 HISTORY OF THE 

can see is covered with boats and vessels, conveying our 
troops and ammunition." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"On Board Steamer, "^New Haven,' 
York River, Saturday, May lo, 1862. 

Once again we are afloat to find a new point of attack, 
and the sooner we get landed the better. Going to sea is 
all very pleasant, but when it comes to embarking a battery 
and one hundred horses, I beg to be excused. 

Thursday morning we were ordered to be inYorktown by 
daylight, prepared to embark, so we had 'reveille' at 
2 a. m. and started. We arrived at Yorktown about 6, 
only to find that there was not the slightest chance to get 
aboard for some hours to come. So we marched into a field 
and came into park about 50 yards from the walls of York- 
town. The day was very pleasant and the road was very 
dusty, and the wagons were very thick. The roads were a 
perfect chaos of mules and mule drivers, one about as stupid 
as the other. 

Meantime, we waited and waited. 

Martin's battery came into park alongside of us, and the 
day slowly rolled on. I managed to buy a loaf of bread, 
not very large for 25 cents, and made a decent dinner. 
About 4 o'clock the steamer 'New Haven' hauled up to 
the wharf, and we put our guns, caissons and baggage 
wagons on board. This took us till 3 in the morning when 
we hauled into the stream to give Martin a chance, and 
turned in. The next day we had to wait till afternoon 
when we got some schooners into the wharf and loaded our 
horses. By 4 o'clock this was completed and we fastened 
the schooner alongside the 'New Haven,' and managed to 
get a good night's rest. 

This morning we are waiting for orders. A schooner 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 255 

loaded with Griffin's horses has just come alongside. . . . 
P. S. Sunday evening. We have landed at West Point 
on York River our Battery and baggage wagons, and shall 
land our horses tomorrow. In good health and spirits. 

C. A. P." 



LETTER OF T. E. CHASE. 

On Board Steamer New Haven, 

Off West Point Va. 
Sunday, May ii, 1862. 

... I have been all over Yorktown and examined all 
the enemy's fortifications, and it was an immense work. 
Two thousand negroes were at work on them for nearly a 
year, and all their work is thrown away. , . . They had 
great furnaces to heat shot red-hot to fire at the gunboats 
to set them on fire; the shot were in the furnaces all ready 
to be heated, shot and shell piled up alongside of the guns 
ready at a moment's notice. There lay the sponge staves 
and everything in complete readiness. All the guns were 
spiked, and some of the buildings burnt. I saw the ruins 
of one large building, and in the ashes there was a great 
lot of shot and shell, and I should think about five barrels 
of meat laid in a pile, all burned, and about a cart load of 
fine salt and the iron-work of a lot of cartridge boxes. 

The rebel officers had first-rate barracks, good, nice, cot 
beds, and they are now used for hospitals, and there are 
alreadv quite a large number of sick and wounded soldiers 
there. 

We are now about a day's march from Richmond, some 
28 miles, and where the disheartened rebels will next make 
a stand we know not. Banks and McDowell are on the 
other side of Richmond and the flower of the army here 
chasing and penning them up. . . . The Captain sings out 



256 HISTORY OF THE 

'fall in' to help nnload and I must close for the present. . . . 

P. S. Stuck again ! We are ashore again on the flats 
and must wait until 9 o'clock this p. m. before we can finish 
unloading. Our horses are ashore and a part of our pieces, 
and I suppose Richmond will be taken and the rest of the 
army home before we get ashore. ... I slept on the hur- 
ricane deck last night until 12 o'clock, when the wind began 
to blow so hard that I was afraid of being blown overboard 
so I engaged rooms in the engine room for the rest of the 
night and slept first rate. I have got so now that I couldn't 
sleep on anything but boards, cedar rails, or a pile of chain 
cable. . . . Perhaps you will see by this time that it is use- 
less to worry, for I have chewed my hard tack in Yorktown 
unmolested by any of the chivalry, and have squinted into 
the very muzzle of their biggest gun ! 

My writing desk is my knapsack resting on the muzzle of 
our gun." 

Sunday and Monday, May nth and 12th were occupied 
in disembarking, and they got into camp at 7 p. m. on the 
1 2th. 

Grows' Journal: "May 12th. We had to go ashore at 9 
this forenoon. It is a very hot morning. Had some cof- 
fee and hard bread, after which w'e went into a barge and 
laid down to get rid of the sun. After dinner visited the 
scenes of the late battle at Williamsburg. It looked bad 
to see the mounds of earth over our brave men that fell 
here. The fight was day before yesterday. ... At 4 this 
afternoon our horses arrived. We got them ashore and 
set our picket rope. Turned in under the gun to get some 
sleep for we start in the morning again." 

May 13th they started on the march. The Divisions of 
Franklin, Smith, Sykes, and Porter advanced to Cumber- 
land by way of the New Kent Court House, 14 miles; the 
Battery marching with Porter's Division at 4.30 p. m." 



\ 



\ 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 257 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"The day was very pleasant, the roads very dusty and 
the woods through which we passed, beautiful; so on the 
whole, the march though tiresome was not so bad as it 
might have been. 

Shortly after leaving West Point, we passed through 
the woods where Franklin's Division had a fight the other 
day. From appearances it must have been an unpleasant 
spot to be in. The trees were perfectly riddled with bul- 
lets, some having three or four holes in them, but I suppose 
like most bullets they injured more trees than men. We 
kept halting all along the road, which was blocked up by 
wagons, mule teams and troops, but finally reached the 
camp about five p. m. . . . It was in a large, dusty wheat 
field on a level plain right on the shore of the Pamunkey 
River." . 

Grows' Journal: *'May 13th 1862. At 6 we took up the 
line of march for a place called Cumberland, about 15 miles. 
We got along very well till 9 o'clock, when we had to wait 
five hours for two other Divisions to pass. Built a fire by 
the side of the road, and made some coffee. On account 
of stopping in the road so long we did not arrive at our 
camp ground till late this afternoon. Every house we 
passed had a white flag hung out to show they were peace- 
able. After pitching my little tent I dropped on the ground 
and fell asleep. Awaked at 7 this morning and was told 
that I must go on guard, as one of the men was sick, and it 
being my next turn I had to go. I offered several $1.00 if 
they would take my place, but could find no one, the men 
being completely worn out by the heat and the march." 

General McClellan's Head Quarters were close by, and 
at 5 p. m. of the 14th the Battery was called in line to salute 
the General and Secretary Stanton. 



258 HISTORY OF THE 

Grows' Journal : "Wednesday, May 14th. On my post 1 
did not dare sit down for fear I should get asleep. Both 
men and horses are pretty well tired out. We march again 
in the morning.'" 

Those on guard of course could not rest on the march, 
even when the column stopped. 

FROM SPEAR'S LETTERS. 

Review of a Week. 

"May 14, i8(>2. 

Well, we waited in Yorktown until 7 o'clock at night 
before we could commence the loading of our Battery and 
its accompaniments, and all was aboard the transport, by 
2^ o'clock the next morning, which was about the size of 
the 'Nelly Baker.' Laid off in the stream until 3 in the 
afternoon, when all went ashore and commenced the load- 
ing of horses on schooners. This took about two hours, 
and then steamer, schooners and all, hauled out into the 
stream, where we remained all night and the next day until 
2 o'clock, when orders were received to proceed up the 
York River. Reached West Point at dusk. Monday was 
a hard and tough day for the boys, as it took nearly all day 
to unload the horses and guns, and at night all were very 
tired, but managed to retire about 9 o'clock after a good 
supper of coffee, hard bread, and salt 'horse.' Not much 
sleep for that night, however, as we were routed out at 2 
o'clock to be ready to move by sunrise. At sunrise were 
on the road from West Point to Cumberland Creek. We 
advanced readily until the sun came out so hot, and the 
roads became very dusty, and as there was but little air stir- 
ring, it was oppressive to us. Reached Cumberland Creek 
at dusk, and for supper coffee, hard bread and salt pork. 

Wednesday night rain, and continued heavy fall all night 
and the next day and night. About 12 o'clock Wednesday 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 259 

nio'lit the boys of the tent in which I am, awoke and found 
the water standing 3 inches deep inside of the tent. Every- 
thing was w^et through and through. At 3 o'clock were 
routed up same way as usual, ordered to pack up, and at 6 
o'clock had everything ready to move : tents struck, horses 
harnessed, and hitched in, but owing to the heavy rain, and 
the bad condition of the roads, we did not leave the en- 
campment until about 12 o'clock. Proceeded well until we 
came to a swamp, and then one of our caissons got stuck 
fast in the mud, and we were obliged to remain there all 
night. As soon as we found that we should have to remain 
in the middle of the swamp, we went to work, built a blazing- 
fire and prepared some coffee. After partaking of our fru- 
gal meal, some went to work and pitched a tent to sleep in 
during the night, and at 10 o'clock everything w^as ready 
for sleep. On awaking the next morning found it pleasant 
and were ordered to move on, so struck our tent, hitched up 
our horses and pulled out of the swamp, and by 9 o'clock 
reached the place where the Division w^as encamped." 



FROM CHASE'S LETTER OF MAY 14, 1862. 

"Cumberland Va. 14th ]\Iay, 1862. . . . The trip up 
York River was a pleasant one, — or rather the scenery, — 
and the country looks more civilized than it does on the 
Potomac. There are many splendid residences and fine 
plantations, and some of the houses had white flags flying 
in front of them. At West Point in a small enclosure there 
are nineteen graves of men who were killed near there wdien 
Franklin's Division arrived, and belonged to the 31st N. Y. 
Regt. They were buried in a trench, but their graves ap- 
pear to be separate on the surface, and each one has a board 
neatly marked with their names, age, &c. . . . I must close 
for we have been standing in line for the last hour to salute 



260 HISTORY OF THE 

General McClellan and the Secretary of War. ... I will 
send Fred a few seeds which I took from a deserted secesh 
house. I do not know what they are, but perhaps he would 
like to plant them. We are to march again tomorrow at 
6 a. m. and we expect to help clear out some masked bat- 
teries between here and Richmond. . . . 

P. S. Passed a guide-board yesterday with the follow- 
ing curious inscription on it, viz. 'Richmond 31 miles.' " 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Cumberland^ Banks of the Pamunkey, 

Wednesday Forenoon, May 14, 1862. 

Things look very different when seen by a newspaper 
correspondence subjected to a military censorship and when 
seen here, l^he Rebels left Yorktown because they had to, 
but the compulsion might have been stronger. . . . Our 
guns were better than theirs and would have knocked their 
works all to pieces. . . . Our nearest batteries were some 
1800 yards from the enemy's works. . . . They commenced 
an evacuation which lasted three days . . . but our gen- 
erals with balloons, spies, pickets, gunboats &c. knew 
nothing of it till every man had left the intrenchments. Then 
General McC. . . . pushed on with artillery and cavalry. 
The enemy retiring in perfect order, left a rear guard at 
Williamsburg to hold us in check, while the main body 
pushed on to the Chickahominy, and in this they succeeded. 
Hooker's Division attacked them and were driven back, 
losing three out of four batteries, and were about sur- 
rounded when reinforcements arrived. These reinforce- 
ments sufficed to drive the enemy back to their works, 
which they abandoned soon after, as their design was mere- 
ly to hold them for a time. . . . General McC. rode through 
our camp on his way to Williamsburg between 4 and 5 
o'clock in the afternoon, so that he could not have got there 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 261 

very earl}-. Wq have not been in any fig^ht yet, though the 
event may come off any day. . . . 

We are encamped on a large level ])lain right on the shore 
of the river. Our own camp is in a wheat field, very dusty. 
Gen. McClelJan with a long string of generals, aides, 
French Princes . . . officers and escort, passed us and 
camps close by. It is now raining an-d we are all blue and 
growling. Nothing to eat but hard tack and coffee with- 
out sugar. The President is here today. 

Evening: It still rains. We managed to get some fresh 
bread for supper, and are in rather better spirits; also we 
bought two hams, one of which has been boiled for tomor- 
row." 



The next morning. May 15th, the Division was ordered 
to move at 6.30 a. m. as follows : — 

I. Berdan's Sharp Shooters. 2. Artillery. 3. But- 
terfield'^ Brigade. 4. Martindale's Brigade. 5. Mc- 
Ouade's Brigade. About 5 o'clock, however, Franklin's 
Division commenced passing and the Battery had to wait. 
The roads ahead were apparently very bad, for Franklin's 
Division advanced slowly, but by ten o'clock th.e last bag- 
gage wagon disappeared, and Porter's Division started on 
its slow progress tov^-ard White House Landing. 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Our march was very intermittent, — now we advanced 
a few hundred yards, then we came to a long halt, and so 
we kept on. Our first stick was in a field. The grass 
looked very fine but underneath was all quicksand. With 
some difficulty half the Battery got through, but one piece 
cut through and two horses tumbled over. So we went to 
work to unharness, unlimbered, and pulled it out. 



262 HISTORY OF THE 

We kept on, itp and down, through sloughs cor- 
duroyed by pioneers, halting every half hour. Our mule 
team got stuck and broke the pole, so we left it in the mud. 
Then we passed Captain Martin's battery wagon. 

The day was slipping away, it began to grow dark and 
the roads grew worse. About 5 o'clock I rode ahead ^o 
see to the teams passing over a difficult place, and found 12 
horses hitched on hauling our carriages through the mud. 
Three of my four carriages got safely through, and I yelled 
out 'Forward with the Fourth Caisson!' Promptly came 
back the answer from the rear, — 'Fourth Caisson stuck in 
the mud.' 

I rode back and found the caisson (Page's) stuck fast, 
and 10 horses tugging at it without starting it. 

We tried it a little while, but it was growing dark, and 
we concluded to give it up for the night; unhitched, left 
our carriages in the road, built fires, opened our haversacks, 
spread tarpaulins and pitched in." 

Grows' Journal: "Thursday, May 15, 1862. Got up at 3 
a. m. It rained all night but has held up now for a while. 
At 5 this morning we received orders not to march till 9 
o'clock, and we were in a nice fix, our tents all down, and it 
began to rain like fury. Three hours' rain in this country 
spoils the roads for travelling till the sun dries up the mud, 
but our journey is to be a short one, only five miles. We 
started at 9 this forenoon, and at 7 this evening we had 
come 3^ miles! 

The 15th of May, 1862, will be a day ever to be remem- 
bered by those who marched today. 

It has rained hard all day. Sometimes our guns would 
go almost out of sight, and we would have to pull them 
out by hand. It was a hard sight to see the poor infantry 
fall down, completely worn out. I thought at one time I 
should not hold out much longer, but I am thankful for one 
thing: I am in good health, and I have reason to think it 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 263 

was tliis that carried nie throno-h. Several of our men and 
officers dropped. 

No pen can describe nor language express the sufferings 
of today. It would have been a very nice and pleasant 
march if it had not rained. 

So here we are stuck in the woods, dark as coal. \Ve can- 
not go any farther tonight, so after building large fires we 
made a little covering to keep the rain off. The c oks 
made us some hot coffee, after which Harry and T were 
talking about home, when I heard a man behind me ask 'Is 
not that Dave Grows?' 

I looked round and there stood Cornelius Smith, an old 
schoolmate of mine. 

So we talked over old times and how he liked soldiering, 
till 9 o'clock; then Harry Simonds, Joe Knox, — poor little 
boy, — and I, turned in with a large fire to our feet. But 
before doing so I had a change of wet clothes to dry ones, 
thanks to a good wife's care. 

Friday, ]\Iay i6, 1862. Got up at 6 a. m., nice miMiiing, 
and l)egan to l)uikl a road. At 10 this forenoon we were 
in camp." 

On this march they had not lost a horse. The pioneers 
and infantry helped to pull out the mired guns. The night 
of the 15th, Allen, Dillingham and Phillips slept under a 
tarpaulin all night in a pouring rain. The camp ground 
which they reached on the i6th, was White House Land- 
ing where Head Quarters had been established. It was a 
beautiful place, a large clover field, near a fine house, the 
grounds covering 35 acres. The Landing is on the Pa- 
munkey River a tributary of the York, 30 miles north of 
Williamsburg, and 25 east of Richmond with which it is 
connected by the Richmond and York River railroad. It 
derived its name from the white wooden house near it, oc- 
cupying the site of the residence of Mrs. Custis, afterwards 
the wife of W^ashington, and had been recently occupied by 
General Lee. the Confederate general. The water at this 



264 HISTORY OF THE 

point on the river being- of sufficient depth, it became a great 
supply depot for the Union army. 

Lieut. Phihips wrote the night of their arrival : — "I have 
just cut enough clover to make a bed, and expect to sleep 
comfortably." Later in the movement he refers to it again : 
"We remained there Saturday and Sunday, eating Colonel 
Lee's clover and wheat, and burning up his fence rails. 
Sunday evening, Hyde, Dillingham and I went down to 
the Pamunkey and took a swim." 

Grows' Journal : "Sunday, May i8, 1862. The evening 
is enlivened by the singing of the 'whip-poor-will' !" 

McDowell coming south. 

Information was received May 18th, 1862, from the Sec- 
retary of War that General Irvin McDowell, with his com- 
mand of 40,000 men had been ordered to move southeast 
from Fredericksburg to a connection with the Right wing 
of the Army of the Potomac, which was ordered to be ex- 
tended to the north of Richmond in co-operation with the 
movement. 

FIFTH PROVISIONAL ARMY CORPS. 

By General Orders No. 125, Head Quarters Army of the 
Potomac, May 18, 1862, the forces commanded by Maj. 
Gen'l Fitz John Porter were designated as the Fifth Pro- 
visional Army Corps, and by General Porter's promotion 
the Division came under the command of Brigadier Gen- 
eral George W. Morell. 

General Orders 
No 125. 

II. The attention of the General commanding has been called to 
the publication of letters from officers and others connected with the 
Army, containing information which must have been of much value to 
the enemy should it have reached him. To communicate precise intel- 
ligence of the strength, position, or movements of the army in private 
letters not designed for publication, is itself highly improper, and liable 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 265 

to prove of serious disadvantage to our operations. ])ut when such in- 
telligence is allowed to pass into the public prints, the proceeding de- 
serves grave censure, if indeed the offense does not become one de- 
manding the exaction of the penalty denounced by the law for giving 
information to the enemy. 

Henceforth the communication for publication of any intelligence 
likelj' to prove of advantage to the enemy is prohibited, and the utmost 
circumspection is enjoined upon correspondents in their private letters. 

FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near the White House, 

Sunday morning-. May i8. 1862. 

By a Special Order just issued, Porter's Division is tem- 
porarily detached from the 3d. — Heintzehnan's, — Army 
Corps, and together with Sykes's Infantry Reserve, — Regu- 
lars and 5th N. Y., — forms a Provisional Corps under 
command of Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter. This places us 
in the Reserve. Porter's, Franklin's, and Smith's Divi- 
sions are now here, but will probably move tomorrow." 

Grows' Journal: "May 19, 1862. At 6 we were on the 
road again for Richmond. It looked lowery when we 
started, and we had not marched more than one mile when 
it began to rain. I put my blanket over my shoulders, and 
it kept me dry on the march. Berdan's Sharpshooters 
halted near us, and I had a good chance to see the 'Old Cali- 
fornian,' the man who killed so many of the rebels at York- 
town. 

Instead of seeing a young man, I found a little old man 
bowed down with age, with long hair, and a staff in his 
hand, but a pair of the brightest eyes I ever saw. 

After marching seven miles we went into park at 3 
o'clock this afternoon on one of the most beautiful places 
I ever saw. No pen can describe the beauties of this place. 
In our rear is a railroad track and the ruins of a large bridge 
burnt by the rebels in their retreat. After we arrived here 
it stopped raining and the sun came out. I then pitched 



266 HISTORY OF THE 

my tent for the usual three, Harry Simonds, Joe Knox and 
myself. . . . This place is called Tunstall's Station." 

It was also called "Station 20" and was on the Richmond 
and York River R. R. They crossed the railroad here and 
were on the northern side. 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 
May 20TH, 1862. 

'•'About 200 yds. to the east of us, and in plain sight 
through the back door, as I sit writing, our men are repair- 
ing a railroad bridge. General McClellan's Head Quar- 
ters are directly to the west on top of White's Hill. 

This is the pleasantest camping ground we have had yet, 
but like every other place the soldiers are a little too thick. 
When we arrived the woods were very thick on the hill side 
between us and the railroad, but they have been disappear- 
ing very fast, and although we have had a guard over there 
to preserve some shade for us, it is about as hopeless a task 
as to keep off a flock of locusts. . . . The sutlers are 
rather scarce and their prices run rather high; butter 40 cts. 
a pound, eggs 50 cts. a dozen &c &c. We consider ourselves 
lucky if we get anything, even at their prices. People who 
are accustomed to beating down prices, would be rather as- 
tonished to get into a sutler's establishment. As soon as 
his wagon is unloaded, a grand rush commences, which 
lasts till everything is gone. Nobody stops to ask the price. 
As a general thing a sutler will not sell to anybody outside 
of the command to which he is attached, which places us at 
a disadvantage. As far as the officers are concerned, a 
sutler is a useful man, but with the men I think their ad- 
vantage is questionable. Hardly any man can withstand 
the temptation of patronizing the sutler and $13 lasts a very 
short time. The men get on just as well, are as healthy, if 
they confine themselves to Government rations. But with 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 267 

the oflicers the case is (Hfferent. No provision is made for 
feeding them, and tliey have to look out for themselves. 
As long as they remain in a civilized neighborhood there is 
no difficulty, about this, but as soon as we begin to march 
provisions get rather scarce. Hard tack and salt junk are 
plenty enough, hut there it ends. Nothing else can be had 
for love or money. 

May 21, 1S62. At eleven o'clock [p. m. of the 20th] 
orders came to march at 5. Reveille was sounded at 3, and 
as I was officer of the day I got the Battery ready at 5 min- 
utes before five. Our baggage went on ahead, and our 
Battery ahead of the others. Just as we started my un- 
lucky Fourth Caisson broke a trace : a new one was put 
in and the caisson resumed its place in the column. All 
went well for half a mile when we came to a very steep hill, 
when right in the middle, snap went the new trace, and 
again we had to stop till this could be replaced. After we 
got to the top of the hill we found an excellent road for 
several miles and got along rapidly, till we stopped at 8 to 
allow Franklin's Division to get out of the way. We halted 
several hours in a wheat field and watered the horses. The 
morning w-as misty but now the sun came out very hot. 
We found here the best spring of water we have yet seen 
in ^7irginia : the water hitherto having been full of clay and 
very poor. . . . The negroes round here are running off 
very fast in one direction, while their masters are running 
in the other. . . . 

Evening : We arrived at this camp at 1 1 o'clock a. m. 
having marched 6 or 8 miles. The country here is quite 
well cultivated, there being many large wheat and clover 
fields. The roads for most of the way were bordered by 
hurdle fences. \Ve are encamped, I believe, in Hanover 
County. The road upon which we came goes to Richmond 
through Newbridge Church, which is about 5 miles from 
the city. We are now about 18 miles from Richmond. 
The nearest route from West Point, the old stage road, 



268 HISTORY OF THE 

which passes over Bottom's Bridge is south of us. . . . A 
squadron of cavalry passed here this evening, having been 
within 9 miles of Richmond, 500 yards beyond our pickets, 
and in sight of the enemy's camps. Our camp is very 
pleasant : the four batteries are encamped on the left of the 
road in a wheat and grass field bordered by a beautiful oak 
woods. Our tents are pitched under a large oak behind a 
log house, which appears to have been a grocery store kept 
by Mr. Brown. The account books of the concern were 
scattered round and furnished evidence of the temperate 
habits of the country ... a leaf of the ledger . . . will do 
to go with Falstaff's bill of bread and sack." 

Grows' Journal: "May 21, 1862. . . . During our march 
we passed some beautiful plantations, each one guarded by 
our troops, and most of them with a white flag hung out. 
Arrived at our camp ground at 12 o'clock (noon). It was 
a rebel camp just deserted, so I took one of their tents and 
used it. 

Thursday, May 22d. Was called at 4 this morning to 
strike tents and be ready to march. At 6 w'e were on our 
way. On account of guard yesterday I am on the 'fatigue' 
today of the Baggage teams. On the way I passed some 
splendid places of planters. One in particular had no flag 
flying, the owner was a rank 'secesh.' The boys coaxed 
the officers to allow^ them to go in and clean him out, but 
they would not, and instead, posted a squad over his place 
and house to protect it. We marched 13 miles. Got into 
camp at 3 this afternoon and then pitched my tent." 

The march of the 22d. took them to Parker's Mills, 14 
miles from Richmond, one mile in a straight line east from 
the Chickahominy River, and 6 miles from the bridge 
^cross that river. The camp was in a meadow bordered 
by a pine grove, and below in the valley lay the grist and 
saw mill and a village of at least 6 houses. 

Nothing w^as to be seen of the enemy wdio had disap- 
peared over the Chickahominy. Firing was heard in the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 269 

direction of Richmond. They might have been McDoweH's 
g-uns, — but they were not, — for whom Porter was to re- 
ceive orders to open a way from Hanover Court House, but 
who was to be turned in another direction and his forces 
spread out between Luray and Fredericksburg. 

The i8th JNIass. Infantry were on picket (hity on the 23d, 
at the raih-oad bridge over the Chickahominy, and found 
our scouts two miles ahead of them. 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

Sunday Morning Postscript to Letter of May 24, 

1862. 

"Camp in the Field. 

There is a great deal of fever and ague, bihous fever, in- 
tern.iittent fever, &e. We have several men sick, seven 
absent, at hospitals or at home, and some sick here in camp 
whom we shall have to send back the next time we move. 
It is my opinion that more men have died of fever than of 
l)ullets, and I thought and still think, that it would have 
been a saving of life if we had taken Yorktown by assault 
the first day, and pushed right on to Richmond at whatever 
cost. People would have heard of a few bloody battles and 
ten thousand killed and wounded, but what is this to two 
months exposure and hundreds dying every day. Lieut. 
Scott has been pretty sick for a week, but is a great deal 
better. I have not had a sick day yet. My appetite is 
always good, and the demand generally exceeds the supply." 

The P>attery remained at Parker's Mills Friday, Satur- 
day and Sunday. In camp Sunday the 25th May, 1862, in 
the evening there were religious services by the chaplain of 
the New York 44th. Text, 6th chapter of Romans, ist 
verse. — "Shall we continue in sin?" [The entire verse is 
"\Miat shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that 
grace may abound?"] 



270 HISTORY OF THE 

Letter of Lieut. Phillips : ''Sunday morning, May 25, 
1862. Of late we have been living on sweet potatoes. 
We tried to buy some strawberries but did not succeed, so 
we bought a bushel of potatoes at $2.00 and have lived on 
them for the last three days, good living too." 

Grows' Journal: "Sunday, May 25, 1862. Heavy firing 
has been heard during the night on our right. The Rhode 
Island 4th Battery has been sent out to see what is the mat- 
ter. Had a good dinner : a pork stew of potatoes, onions, 
pepper, pork &c. 

Monday May 26th. Broke camp soon after 4 o'clock, 
and at 6 o'clock we started on our march. At noon time 
we arrived on a large plantation and went into park." 

This was the famous Dr. Gaines Plantation near Gaines 
Mills. It was nearly due west of Cold Harbor on a broken 
plateau between the bottom lands of the Chickahominy and 
the Pamunkey rivers. It was east of north from Richmond, 
on the road leading from Bottom Bridge up the Chicka- 
hominy via Cold Harbor to Mechanicsville, thence to Han- 
over Court House. The camp of the Battery was in the 
edge of an oak wood. 

The Army was disposed as follows : — 

On the Right wing Franklin's Corps was stationed, three 
miles from New Bridge on the Chickahominy. Porter's 
Fifth Corps supported him in the rear. Across the rail- 
road was Sumner's Corps, holding the centre near Turner's 
]\Iills, and Keyes's Corps held the New Kent Road near 
Bottom's Bridge. Heintzelman's Corps was in support of 
Keyes, and was supposed to guard the Left wing. 

HANOVER COURT HOUSE. 

From the direction of Fredericksburg, the news had 
come that the enemy had fallen back, and a considerable 
force was near Hanover Court House to the risfht and rear 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 271 

of our army. tlireateniiiQ- (,ur communications. This town 
was north of Richmond on the Virginia Central raih-oad. 
Porter was ordered to disperse the enemy's forces, while 
guarding the approaches to the rear guard of the Right 
wing of the army. It was also expected that the enemy's 
communication with Northern Virginia by the line of the 
Virginia Central railroad should be cut off, and General 
Porter received orders to move at daylight on the 27th to 
Hanover Court House. Assurances were received that 
McDowell would co-operate without fail. The Fifth Mass. 
Battery in camp at Dr. Gaines's Farm was ordered to march 
at 4 a. m. with McOuade's, formerly Morell's, Brigade. 

General Porter moved from camp near New Bridge by 
the most direct route to Hanover Court House, expecting 
to engage the enemy at or near that point. At noon of the 
27th in the neighborhood of the town, he encountered a bri- 
gade commanded by General Branch and composed of the 
1 8th, 28th and 33d North Carolina Regiments which held 
the road, but after an hour's fighting they were dispersed 
and the main body of our troops moved on intending to 
pursue the enemy northward. But instead of taking that 
direction he passed around to our Left, with the intention of 
surrounding our forces while covering his own retreat, and 
appeared in our rear. Having found this out, Porter faced 
his whole colunm about and fell upon the enemy's flanks 
while Martindale's Brigade was holding him at bay. A 
sharj) battle ensued. The rebels were routed and fled in 
confusion, and General McClellan wrote the President that 
General Porter had entirely "relieved his Right flank which 
was seriously threatened" and had "routed and demoralized 
a considerable portion of the rebel forces." It was called 
one of the handsomest things of the War, both in itself and 
its results. 

One of our hospitals was captured, two guns were taken 
from the Third Mass. Battery but they were afterwards re- 
taken. Our loss was reported as 56 killed, 173 wounded. 



272 HISTORY OF THE 



THE ACTION OF THE BATTERY. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery followed the advance for two 
miles, and when the column turned, it hurried back to where 
our progress had been disputed and the enemy had been 
overcome. Now the rebel and Union forces had changed 
positions. 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Near Hanover Court House 

Wednesday Morning, 

May 28, 1862. 

Nobody hurt in the 5th Battery. 

Porter's Division had a little brush with the rebels yes- 
terday and licked them. We have taken a great many pris- 
oners. Martin's Battery 2 wounded, 3 missing, 25th N. Y. 
cut up. . . . We have got the railroad. The rebels tried 
to surround us, and did get in our rear so that we had to 
go back two miles, and lick them a second time. 

Afternoon : Yesterday we had a pretty hard day's work. 
We were ordered to march at 4 o'clock, and were ready to 
march at that hour, but did not start until 7 or 8. Mean- 
time it was raining furiously. We brought up the rear of 
the Division with Morell's Brigade, Colonel (James) Mc- 
Quade commanding. W^e left the tents standing, carried 
two days' rations in the haversacks, no knapsacks or any- 
thing of the sort. About noon it stopped raining, and the 
sun came out. After marching say 18 miles, we heard firing 
ahead. It ceased as we came up, and we found the enemy 
had retired. Soon we passed two of Captain Martin's pieces 
waiting at some cross roads. We marched on over the bat- 
tle field, a wheat field, and kept on for some two miles. A 
few dead and wounded men were along the road, and a 
great many dead horses. We passed a large white house 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 273 

belongino- to Mr. Winston, a prominent Secesh, who, like 
many otliers. had gone to Richmond. After marching two 
miles we heard firing in our rear, and the whole Division 
were ordered back. 

The enemy it seems had passed round our left and got in 
our rear, capturing one of our hospitals and driving Mar- 
tin's men away from his pieces, Lieut. Dunn commanding. 
We hurried back to where the battle was first won. Back 
came Griffin's orderly. — 

'Caissons halt on the side of the road !' then — 'Can- 
noneers mount !' — 'Trot !' — 'March !' 

Griffin came into battery, and threw a few shells into the 
woods, but the infantry had most of the work to do. They 
deployed [Opened the order of troops from column into 
line of battle] and soon got to work in the woods. The 
9th Mass. fired one volley, gave a yell and charged. The 
firing was quite lively, and was kept up till 6 o'clock when 
it gradually died away, and the wounded began to come to 
the rear pretty fast. . . . From the accounts I hear the 
25th and 44th N. Y. did most of the work in the forenoon. 
The rebels advanced firing upon the 25th, and routed them 
completely, so that one captain could only find 5 men. The 
44th did very well. The rebel force consisted of one Bri- 
gade under General Branch, i8th, 28th and 33d N. C. We 
passed 150 today. They are a poor looking set and are 
half starved. General (George) Stoneman (cavalry) cut 
off the railroad track last night, capturing a train loaded 
with provisions. By six o'clock the rebels were pretty well 
cleared out, and we began to think of camp. Lieut. Dil- 
lingham had captured a Secesh tent, almost new, so we 
continued to get under cover. A few inches of straw from 
a neighboring stack made a very good bed and we slept 
soundly. The next morning we lay abed till 8 o'clock. 

We camped last night where the rebels made their first 
stand. . . . Today we have been skylarking round doing 



274 HISTORY OF THE 

nothing in particular. We are six miles from Hanover 
Court House and 14 from Richmond. I am now 6^ p. m. 
sitting on the ground with my back against a lien coop. 
Our infantry are round taking prisoners." 

Grows' Journal: "Tuesday, May 27, 1862. Raining 
awfully. At 5 we were on the march. After stopping at 
times to build roads and help the guns along, we arrived 
and stopped for a while in a large field to feed the horses 
and water them. At 9 this forenoon we took up the march 
again. It stopped raining and the sun came out. Occa- 
sionally stopping to rest, at 2 this afternoon we were within 
8 miles of Hanover Court House. Here we heard heavy 
firing. There was a fight going on, so we were pushed 
ahead, and in a short time came in sight of a house with a 
red flag. (See p. 21.) It was a hospital for the sick and 
wounded. In passing it I saw some wounded being carried 
in. On my left in a wheat field lay two dead. 

Our troops had started the 'Secesh' to running just be- 
fore we came up. Alongside the road were strewn knap- 
sacks, clothing, arms, &c., of the rebels in their retreat. 
The firing had now almost died away. A\^e stopped in a 
large field to rest, and I went to see where the fight began. 
At 3 this afternoon we were on the road again. We had 
not marched more than a mile when we heard firing in our 
rear, and the whole Division was ordered back double- 
quick. 

Louder and nearer grew the noise of musketry and can- 
non, as we drew near. It seems that a body of rebels, some 
state the number as 10,000, had come around in our rear 
with the intention of cutting us off, but they were mistaken. 

Arriving on the field I found that two of the pieces of 
Martin's Battery were mired in the mud, and that the men 
had been driven from them. 

Griffin's Regular Battery opened upon the rebels with 
four pieces, which soon drove them back. 

We were stationed on the Left flank, held in readiness in 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 275 

case they should show themselves out of the woods to open 
upon them, but we did not have to fire, for they soon began 
to fall back. From where we stood I had a great view of 
the battle. On our right the 226. Mass., 2d Maine, 25th 
N. Y. and 44th N. Y. were stationed. The Mass. 9th and 
62d Penn. made a splendid charge on the 'Secesh,' driving 
them before them. About 8 or 10 rods from where I stood 
was a building, and it was quickly put in use for a hospital. 
Oh, the sights I saw there were awful ! There lay friend 
and foe, sometimes side by side ! 

At 7 this evening the firing almost ceased, except, now 
and then, the discharge of a musket in the woods. Up to 
10 this evening our troops had buried most 300 of the 
rebels. 

About half past ten, I laid my blankets down on the bat- 
tle ground, where were dead and dying and wounded, and 
laid myself down to sleep." 

Porter's command pushed the pursuit of Anderson's 
forces, who were falling back u])on Richmond, until dark, 
and then bivouacked on the field. 

Chase's Diary : "Saw the enemy's dead for the first time 
today. Encamped in a wheat field with the dead and dy- 
ing all around us. 

Picked up several trophies, such as cartridge boxes, belts 
&c. Met several squads of rebel prisoners coming in. 

]\Iay 28, 1862. Large numbers of prisoners brought in 
this morning. Saw twenty-four of the rebel dead beside a 
fence this morning and 12 of the 25th N. Y. Regt. dead." 
Grows' Journal : "Wednesday, May 28, 1862. Was called 
at 5 this morning. Got up, had some crackers and coffee, 
after which I took a walk over the battleground. The dead 
of the rebels were lying in every position and posture; some 
with hands extended as though they were using a gun, 
others drawn up as though they died in great distress, 
among them a boy not more than 14 years old. 

I saw 314 rebel prisoners go by our camp in one lot. It 



276 HISTORY OF THE 

is estimated we have taken looo rebels. Most of them 
appear glad to be taken by our troops. 

About 9 this morning we were ordered to report to Gen- 
eral Stoneman. After marching about 5 miles we found 
his encampment and waited some time before we found out 
whether we w^ere wanted or not. We found out. at length, 
that we were not wanted, so we marched five miles back to 
where we slept last night, arriving late this afternoon," 

While they were waiting. General McClellan passed by. 

Grows' Journal: 'Thursday, May 29. 1862. One on the 
field our troops are still burying the dead of the rebels in 
large trenches, and ours in graves with boards put up. 

Horses are on the field, in some cases with awful wounds, 
more of them are dead. 

About 10 this forenoon we were told to strike our tents 
and hold ourselves in readiness to march at a minute's 
notice. So we lay around in the hot sun till 3 this after- 
noon, when we took up our line of march for our old camp 
ground, (Dr. Gaines' Farm) 20 miles, that being the dis- 
tance we came on Tuesday, to this place. It is a very hot 
afternoon, but on account of the good state of the roads 
we rode most of the way. Owing to stopping for baggage 
trains to pass, darkness overtook us, and still we were not 
in camp. 

At 12 o'clock, midnight, we g(^t into our old camp. 
Found my old tent frame still up; put the covering on, and 
soon after we had fires going to make some coffee." 

Tn the three days they had been gone they had travelled 
60 miles. 

LIEUT. J. B. HYDE'S NOTES. 

"We did not have much shooting to do there because we 
could not use artillery to good advantage, but the firing of 
musketry all day was the worst I ever heard. After the 
battle was over, General Butterfield said to us officers who 
were all there together. 'Having accomplished the object 
for which we came here, we will now return to camp.' 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 277 

On the way back there was a small church, and seeing a 
large gathering outside, I rode my horse up to it and looked 
in at the open door. I saw a great many soldiers lying 
around on the seats; some singing and having a great time, 
and T think it was Lt. Colonel (James C.) Rice of the 44th 
New York Regt. said, — 'Go right in, Lt. Hyde,' so I 
touched the spur to my horse and rode him up the low steps 
and straight up the aisle to the altar. Then I began to 
think, what if the floor should give way, but I rode out in 
safety and came down the steps just as the Battery was 
passing. They set up a tremendous cheer to see me riding 
out of a church on horseback." 

LETTER OF CORPORAL SPEAR. 

Written in Pencil on the Back of a Certificate 
Blank Form. 

"Army of the Potomac 
Encamped 8 miles from 

Richmond Va. 

Saturday, May 31, 1862. 

Last Tuesday morning (]\Iay 27th) at 3 o'clock we were 
awakened and ordered to pack, strike tents, get breakfast, 
and be ready to move by daybreak. Tents were ordered to 
be packed, tents on caissons, and we to carry only a rubber 
blanket and an overcoat, as we were going out for a brush 
witli the rebels. About 7 o'clock started, in the rain, with a 
little hard bread and salt pork for rations, and an overcoat 
and rubber blanket for covering. 

After advancing 15 miles, we heard frequent volleys of 
musketry, and, now and then, the booming of a distant gun. 

At 2 o'clock we came up to where the advance of our 
Division had had a skirmish, and two or three regiments 
of infantry with 2 pieces of artillery, were left behind to 
guard a road, while the rest of the Division advanced in the 
direction in which the rebels were supposed to have moved, 
and after advancing 3 miles the order came for the whole 
Division to turn about, as the rebels were trying to flank us. 



278 HISTORY OF THE 

and then such an excitement as there was! Artillery, cav- 
alry, and infantry, going on the double quick, back to where 
the regiments and pieces of artillery were left to guard the 
road, and when we reached the place found that two of the 
regiments had been nearly destroyed and the men with the 
artillery forced to leave their guns on the field; but not long, 
for as our infantry and cavalry came up, they made a charge 
and took possession of the pieces again. 

Our Battery was not engaged, although we were on the 
field of action during the fight, ready to take part. One bat- 
tery was engaged, and that was the 5th Regular. 

At dusk they began bringing in the dead and wounded 
on our side, and such sights ! Oh ! they were awful, and 
frightful. Some were pierced with bullets, others only 
slightly wounded. 

That night we lay down on the battle field for rest, with 
only the broad heavens above us for a covering. When 
morning came received orders to retire about 2 miles to 
support infantry. So we went back. On arriving ascer- 
tained that they needed no assistance, so returned to the 
battle field, pitched our tents, and stopped all of the re- 
maining day and part of the next, when we received orders 
to go back to our present encampment, at wdiich place we 
arrived at i o'clock Friday morning, tuckered out and 
mighty hungry, our rations gone the day before. But now 
we are all right again. Today there has been considerable 
firing in the direction of Richmond." 

THE SICK AND WOUNDED. 

"Captain Allen," wrote Lt. Phillips, "is sick, and came 
back ahead of us in an ambulance. He is now quite weak 
and keeps to his bed." 

NOTES BY CAPTAIN ALLEN, APRIL 19, 1900. 

'"This was the beginning of my first illness of malarial 
fever, and I was sent back to camp in an ambulance as it 
is said liere. After a few days I made application for 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 279 

leave of absence. I was examined by the three senior 
surgeons of the Brigade, and was granted leave of absence 
for ten days. 

It was six days before that leave of absence was approved 
at Head Quarters and returned to me. When I was ex- 
amined it was to see whether I was to be sent to Fortress 
Monroe or beyond. 

The surgeons approved of my going beyond the hospital 
at Fortress jNIonroe, which meant home. 

After the furlough got round to me I had only four days 
left for leave of absence. 

General Porter sent me a four mule ambulance, and, ac- 
companied by Serg't Terry, I started about three o'clock 
in the afternoon for a station on the railroad running to 
White House Landing. There had been a battle in the 
vicinity of the station the day before and the trains were 
very uncertain. After waiting several hours a train of a 
few flat cars came along. Serg't Terry helped me on to 
one of these cars, which were filled with wounded men 
lying on the floor. He put my valise between two wounded 
men. I sat down on it and he stood at my back supporting 
me. We rode that way to White House Landing, reaching 
there the next morning. Serg't Terry went down to the 
Landing to see if there was any steamer to take me to 
Yorktown. He returned shortly and reported that the 
Nahant boat 'Nelly Baker,' Captain Calder, then a Gov- 
ernment transport, was laying at the wharf. He helped me 
on board and as he was returning to camp I bade him 
good bye. 

Captain Calder gave up his stateroom to me, and made 
me as comfortable as possible on my way to Yorktown, 
where I took the steamer for Baltimore and New York. 

On board the Baltimore steamer I made the acquaintance 
of Lt. Colonel, afterwards Colonel, Moses B. Lakeman of 
IMaine. who had been wounded and was also on leave, and 
he rendered me a great deal of assistance on my way home, 
for A\ hich I desire most heartily to thank him. 

At Xew York being very anxious to get the three 
o'clock train to Boston, we explained the circumstances to 



280 HISTORY OF THE 

the captain, and lie very kindly gave us all the time he 
could possiljly make for us, by running the bow of the 
steamer directly to the wharf allowing us to go ashore, — 
no others were permitted to land, before he docked his 
steamer. 

I wish T remembered the name of the steamer and of the 
captain, so that I might again thank him for his generous 
kindness in allowing us to land as we did, for we caught 
the three o'clock train and in due time we arrived at our 
homes in Maiden, Mass. Colonel Lakeman, though a 
Maine man was then, with his family, residing in Maldeti. 
Surgeon General Dale sent out the next day a surgeon tc 
examine me, and extended my furlough thirty days. At 
the expiration of that furlough I was still unable to return 
to my command, and Surgeon General Dale extended it 
thirty days longer. In a very short time after my several 
extensions of furlough, I received an Order from Secretary 
Stanton, through his adjutant general, stating that all 
officers who were unable to rejoin their commands in six 
days must resign. This order forced my resignation, for 1 
was still unable to rejoin my command. Following is the 
copy of the Order." 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office 
Washington, July 31, 1862. 
General Orders. 
No. 92 
The following Order is published for the information of all con- 
cerned : 

War Department 

Washington City D. C., July 31, 1862. 

The absence of officers and privates from their duty under various 
pretexts, while receiving pay, at great expense and burden to the Gov- 
ernment, makes it necessary that efificient measures be taken to enforce 
their return to duty, or that their places be suoplied by those who will 
not take pay while rendering no service. This evil, moreover, tends 
greatly to discourage the patriotic impulses of those who would con- 
tribute to support the families of faithful soldiers. It is therefore or- 
dered by the President: — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 281 

I. That on Monday, the nth day of August, all leaves of absence 
and furloughs by whomsoever given, unless by the War Department, 
are revoked and absolutely annulled, and all officers capable of ser- 
vice are required forthwith to join their respective commands, and all 
privates capable of service to join their regiments, under penalty of 
dismissal from the service, or such penalty as a Court Martial may 
award, unless the absence be occasioned by lawful cause. 

II. The only excuses allowed for the absence of officers or privates 
after the nth day of August, are: 

1st. The order or leave of the War Department. 

2d. Disability from wounds received in service. 

3d. Disability from disease that renders the party unfit for military 
duty. But any officer or private whose health permits him to visit 
watering places or places of amusement, or to make social visits, or 
walk about the town, city, or neighborhood in which he may be, will 
l)e considered fit for military duty, and as evading duty by absence 
fpom his command or ranks. 

III. On Monday, the eighteenth da->' of August, at 10 o'clock a. m.. 
each Regiment and Corps shall be mustered. The absentees will be 
marked, three lists of the same made out. and. within forty-eight hours 
after the muster, one copy shall be sent to the Adjutant General of the 
Army, one to the Commander of the Corps, the third to be retained ; 
and all officers and privates fit for duty absent at that time will be 
regarded as absent without cause, their pav will be stopped, and they 
dismissed from the service, or treated as deserters, unless restored ; 
and no officer shall be restored to his rank unless by the judgment of 
a Court of Inquiry, to be approved by the President, he shall establish 
that his absence was with good cause. 

IV. Commanders of Corps, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, and 
detached Posts, are strictly enjoined to enforce the muster and return 
aforesaid. Any officer failing in his duty herein will be deemed guilty 
of gross neglect of duty, and be dismissed from the service. 

V. A commissioner shall be appointed by the Secretary of War 
to superintend the execution of this order in the respective States. 

The United States marshals in the respective districts, the mayor 
and chief of police of any town or city, the sheriff of the respective 
counties in each state, all postmasters and justices of the peace, are 
authorized to act as special provost marshals to arrest any officer or 
private soldier, fit for duty, who may be found absent from his com- 
mand without just cause, and convey him to the nearest military post 
or depot. The transportation, reasonable expenses of this duty, and 
five dollars, will be paid for each officer or private so arrested and de- 
livered. 

Bv Order of the President : 

E. M. St.\nton, 
Secretary of War. 

By Order of the Secretary of War : 

E. D. TOWNSEND 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



282 HISTORY OF THE 

On the day designated in this Order for the revocation 
of leaves of absence the following was promulgated : — 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, August ii, 1862. 
General Orders, 
No 102. 
All leaves of absence and furloughs, by whomsoever given, unless 
by the War Department, are, from this date, null and void, and all offi- 
cers and privates capable of service will immediately rejoin their re- 
spective commands. The commanding officer of each corps, regiment, 
military post, or other command, will see that the muster directed in 
General Orders No. 92, current series, be made on the i8th instant, and 
that all absentees be marked as therein directed. All persons so marked 
as absent will be considered as absent without proper cause until they 
shall adduce evidence before a military court or commission to show 
that such absence was occasioned by one of the three causes specified in 
General Orders, No. 92; and until the action of such court or commis- 
sion they will receive no pay. 

By Command of Major General Halleck : 

E. D. Townsend, 
Assistant Adiutant General. 



CAPTAIN ALLEN'S RESIGNATION. 

A letter from Lieut. Phillips explains why Captain 
Allen's resignation did not take effect until October 17th, 
and a copy of the discharge found in Lt. Phillips' army desk, 
regularly endorsed by Gen. McClellan and the Division 
commanders, is here added : — 

[From Lt. Phillips' Letter.] 

"Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. 
Thursday Evening 

Oct. 16, 1862. 

I have received a letter from Captain Allen and several 
official documents. Among the latter was Captain Allen's 
resignation, which has been wandering around some time 
after me. Pie sent it in to the Adjutant General's office 
August 20th. It left the Adjutant General's office August 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 283 

26th, respectfully referred to the commander of the Fifth 
Mass. Battery. Somehow or other the Post Office was a 
long time in bringing it to me, and it only reached me this 
morning. I respectfully referred and forwarded it to 
Captain Martin, he will do the same to General Morell, he 
to General Fitz John Porter, who will accept it." 

SPECIAL ORDERS NO. 284 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Knoxville Md. 

Oct. 17, 1862. 
Special Orders. 

No. 284 Extract. 

6. The following named officers, having tendered their resigna- 
tions, are honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
States. 

Captain George D. Allen. Battery E. ]Mass. Artillery. 
By command of Major General McClellan 

(Signed) S Williams 
Ass't Adj't. General. 
Head Quarters 5th Army Corps 

October 18th, 1862. 
Official : 

(Sd.) J. KiRKLAND 

Maj. A. D. C. 



Official 
Official 



Head Quarters Morell's Division. 
Oct. 19, 1862. 

(Sd.) Francis S. Earle 
Ass't Adj't. General. 



A. P. MartiNj Capt. 

Commanding Division Artillery. 

CAMP ON THE GAINES FARM. 

To continue Phillips' letter from the old camp ground, 
May 29, [862: — 

"One of the cannoneers, Alpheus Haskins, had his left 
foot badly bruised by being run over by a gun carriage. 
A stout boot saved the bones though it ruined the boot." 

All of Morell's Division returned on the 29th to their 
camp on the Gaines Farm, 



284 HISTORY OF THE 

This was the end of the battle of Hanover Court House, 
but not of the casualties. While quietly resting next day 
in camp, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, there arose a violent 
thunder storm. The thunder was loud and continuous, and 
the sky a sheet of flame. One of the N. Y. 44th camp- 
ing near by was killed by a stroke of lightning, and another 
stunned. They were sitting on a box of ammunition. Scott 
and Phillips generously gave up their tent and home-made 
bedsteads to two sick men, and occupied the "secesh" tent 
through which the water ran in a continual stream. 

On one occasion Phillips wrote of the situation, after 
the battle of Hanover Court House, sickness, "secesh," and 
the rest : — "I regret that Dr. Gaines is allowed to keep his 
house, though not allowed to leave it, — when so many better 
men than he are lying on the damp ground sick with fever. 
After the battle of Hanover Court House some twenty 
wounded men lay in his barn on the floor crowded together, 
while he was allowed to occupy a comfortable bed. First 
look out for the comfort of our soldiers, say I, and then 
look out for secessionists. At this very moment we have 
in our Battery men sick with fever lying on the wet ground 
in poncho tents, — dog kennels you would call them at 
home, — while Dr. Gaines's large house close by is almost 
empty. These men can be cured if we send them home 
where they can get comfortable beds under a dry roof, but 
keep them here exposed as they now are, and in a month 
they will be in their graves. We have nearly 20 men unflt 
for duty, and the regiments in this Division will not aver- 
age more than 500 men. The New York 25th went to 
Hanover Court House with 300 men and lost half; the 
New York 44th had 550 and lost 120; the Mass. 22d is as 
full as any in the service. The ]\laine 2d is pretty full and 
is a splendid regiment, and to them as much as to any 
single regiment we owe the victory at Hanover. 

The New York 44th fought splendidly. They were op- 
posed for some time to 4000 rebels and held them at bay 
till the 2d Maine came up." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 285 



FROM A LETTER OF T. E. CHASE. 

"Hanover Co. Va. 

May 31st, 1862. 

Dr. Gaines is a noted rebel and tried to escape, but was 
caught by our pickets, he has a fine residence, a large plan- 
tation, and Sy slaves, all of whom seem to favor the con- 
fiscation of all rebel property. I have often visited the log 
cabins of the negroes on hoe-cake speculation, and quizzed 
them some, and I have had 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' from their 
Hps." 

Of the march to Hanover Court House he says : — 
'■\Ve passed the direct road to Richmond — which was 
seven miles distant — on the left. \Mien we had marched 
about 18 miles we heard firing ahead, and about a mile 
farther on we saw that the enemy had been surprised and 
routed. Several acres of land w^ere strewn with clothing, 
belts, knapsacks, haversacks, &c. which the gallant south- 
rons were too proud to take with them — or they were too 
heavy — on a foot race wnth the 'mudsills.' The roadside 
was lined with infantry resting, and some of them were 
wounded. It was a strange spectacle to see them lying in 
all positions; some talking, some writing, many asleep, and 
others tying up slight wounds. In a field at our right lay 
the body of one of the cannoneers of Regular Battery M, 
who was killed by a shell. The back part of his head was 
shot away, and his brains and fragments of his skull were 
scattered in every direction. He was a No. 3 man and, 
had a thumbstall still on his thumb, which was peculiarly 
suggestive to me, but I had but little time to borrow trouble 
about that then. Several dead horses were lying there 
that were shot from under their riders. As the Battery 
w^ent round a corner, I cut across a wheat field to save 
distance, and but a few rods from the road I saw for the 
first time one of the enemy's dead. He fell on his side. 



286 HISTORY OF THE 

His knapsack was strapped to his shoulders, and at his side 
lay his gun, haversack, and canteen. His eyes were par- 
tially closed. I raised the bosom of his blood-stained shirt, 
and saw the fatal wound. He was shot through the hea"t 
and must have died instantly. I took some cartridges from 
his cartridge box and ran to our piece. I found the car- 
tridges were made of good fine powder and a round moulded 
ball and three buck-shot each. On the road I picked up a 
cartridge box marked inside 'C. S. Arsenal, Baton Rouge, 
La.' . . . We marched about a mile farther, and were 
very suddenly ordered to countermarch, as the enemy had 
flanked us, but we went as fast as possible, and when we had 
regained our wasted mile, we took equipments, and 
mounted the caissons, and prepared for quick movements 
and hot work, and it had already commenced, for we heard 
the rattle of musketry in front of us, and saw the smoke." 



VALLEYof theCHICKAHOMiNY 










Camfisr-I. Infantry cj Division.-:t.MaTCin's Battery.— 3.Weeden's Baaery.-4. Griff m's 

Battery.— S. A /I en's Battery. Positions, JuneS";—6. S"^' MaiS.Batlery.-7. Maryland 
Battery.-S.Carlisle's Regularlo Mr Battery.-9.3Zjt>dTi^lO.Rebel Battery. Il.yune9: 
-RlghtSecCon. n.Janell'^Cevtre Section. /J.yunel3*-Centre'KLe/lSectionj. M.Uur 
Bridge . IS.New Br/djefwo bridge:,. In Batter, esjune2i-^t6. Rj'^ht o/NeujBr.ds^'fCrun! 
-17. On hill back oj NeujBiidje/ive iO^rs-IS. On Games Hill, Fiye 3opdrs-l3. S^ Mass. / « 
M)^, J/> Guns —Z0.7une 16'^ to Jane l^^Rebel Guns. Zi. Our Pickets. 2X.Rebel Pickets. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE VALLEY OF THE CHICKAHOMINY. 

Battle of Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 

"Oftentimes an indififerent action, a short saying, or a ready jest, 
opens more intricacies of the true character than a siege or a battle." 

— Plutarch's Alexander. 

"The sh'ght circumstances of Plutarch are not mere anecdotes, in- 
serted for the sake of amusement. They are traits of feeling and dis- 
position : short lines from a page of the heart put into italics." 

— Rev. Robert Aris Willmott. 

Lieut. Henry D. Scott in his Notes describes the course 
of the Chickahominy as "from northwest to southeast, a 
treacherous stream, from 30 to 50 feet wide at this point. 
"Its l^anks," he says, "are low, and after a few liours' rain 
would overflow, and the country in its course would have 
the appearance of one vast lake." 

The military operations on the Chickahominy embraced 
that part of the stream between Bottom's Bridge on the 
south where it is crossed by the Williamsburg road, and 
Meadow Bridge, fifteen miles to the north, where it is 
crossed by the Fredericksburg railroad. 

Richmond lies nearly opposite the centre of this line, 
about 6 miles irom the Chickahominy at its nearest ap- 
proach. 

The swamp and stream had been crossed by several 
bridges. All of those in front of Richmond had been de- 
stroyed by Johnston when he fell back from Yorktown and 
Williamsburg, and the approaches to them were commanded 

287 



288 HISTORY OF THE 

JDV batteries on the southern side. Other points had to be 
chosen for building new bridges, which on account of the 
soil had to be laid upon trestles; the approaches being cordu- 
royed. 

In moving from Williamsburg the Right wing of the 
Federal army had kept to the north, striking the Chicka- 
hominy at New Bridge directly in front of Richmond, the 
Left wing, keeping to the south, had reached the river at 
Bottom's Bridge, 13 miles below. This bridge had been 
demolished on May 20th, but close by was a ford which had 
been seized. On the 22d of May, Head Quarters were 
established at Cold Harbor just in the rear of the head of 
the Right wing. The bulk of the enemy were across the 
Chickahominy on the main road from New Bridge to Rich- 
mond, but a detachment had been left at Mechanicsville on 
the north bank 4 miles above. This was dispersed on the 
24th by the artillery and the bridge was destroyed. 

The rebel general Johnston had destroyed the bridge by 
which the York River railroad crossed the Chickahominy, 
but no other damage was done, and after the bridge was re- 
paired the railroad was in operation up to the river. 

On May 24th, 1862, McClellan received a despatch from 
the President, announcing that in consecjuence of General 
Banks's position having been made critical by the line being 
broken on the dav previous at Front Royal, with a probable 
loss to us of a regiment of infantry and two companies of 
cavalry, he was compelled to suspend General McDowell's 
movement to join the Army of the Potomac. 

Then General McClellan ordered the construction of a 
series of bridges across the Chickahominy, but Bottom's 
Bridge and the Railroad bridge, a mile apart, were his 
main dependence, as the Railroad bridge, as it proved, 
was above the reach of the highest water; these he pro- 
tected in order to render his communications secure be- 
tween the Left wing on the south side of the Chickahominy 
composed of the two corps of Keyes and Heintzelman 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 289 

coverino- six miles of tlie Williamsburg road in order to 
guard the approaches to White Oak Swamp, and the Right 
wing fifty miles away on the north bank of the river com- 
posed of the Corps of Sumner, Franklin and Porter, extend- 
ing north for i8 miles. 

This was the situation on the 28th of May. The rise 
of the river on the 30th carried away all but the Railroad 
bridge, which was the only means of communication be- 
tween the two wings of the Army. During the afternoon 
and night of the 30th a storm more violent than had been 
known for many years, sw^ept over Richmond. The rising 
of the Chickahominy which was already full would over- 
flow the swamp, preventing the forces on the south side 
from communicating with those on the north. The Left 
wing of the Army of the Potomac thus placed upon its 
own resources for its defense was thought by the rebel 
rulers to be at their mercy. But the rain fell alike on the 
just as on the unjust. The storm which swelled the Chicka- 
hominy impeded the movements of the troops of the rebel 
general Huger, and in the summing up of these events it has 
been sagely observed (see Harper's "Historv of the Great 
Rebellion") that if Huger had come dow^n upon the Left at 
any time, or if Smith had moved only an hour earlier on 
the Right, Heintzelman and Keyes must have been utterly 
crushed. Or, had the full flood of the Chickahominy come 
dowm, as was expected, four hours before, instead of four 
hours after noon, Sumner could not have crossed, and the 
Union forces on the south side of the river would have been 
annihilated in plain sight of the whole army on the opposite 
bank, utterly powerless to give any aid. 

There is another period in the history of the world where 
an army passed from one bank to another in just the most 
convenient time. See chapter and verse in the Bible. 

THE BATTERY AT THE BRIDGE. 

It was hoped that the next move would be direct for 
Richmond, and until that order came the wearv soldier 
would rather rest in camp, but at 9 o'clock in the evening 



f>90 HISTORY OF THE 

of Saturday the 31st of ^lay, the repose of the Battery was 
broken by orders to go down and protect the building- of 
a bridge half a mile from camp, and about the same distance 
below New Bridge, across the Chickahominy. In the dark- 
ness Lieut. Hyde rode over a bank about five feet high, 
bruising his arm so that he had to go back to camp. 

A MISS-STEP IX THE DARK. 
Notes of Lieut. Hyde Revised ^^Iav 22. 1900. 

"Ordered by General Griffin to take my Battery in the 
night as quietly as possible to a point under a cliff where the 
enemy had a strong fortification, at daylight as soon as it 
was light enough to discover their works we were to com- 
mence firing in that direction; the object being to draw their 
fire to ascertain what they had. — and we found out ! 

V\'e were moving along on what seemed in the darkness 
to be hard ground, and I was riding in company with Cap- 
tain A. P. Martin, when before I was aware of the danger, 
my horse went down a steep bank carrying me with him. and 
falling upon my leg and right arm, injuring me consider- 
ably, and I was compelled to leave the Battery in command 
of Lieut. Dillingham, and go back, Captain ^Martin kindly 
accompanying me, to the surgeon of the 44th X. Y. Regt. 
He examined my arm, putting it apparently in the best 
shape possible, placing it in a sling, and I returned to the 
Battery, ha\-ing been absent only half an hour. I carried 
my arm in the sling for a week or ten days after. To this 
day (1900) it is sensitive to the touch, very crooked and 
two inches shorter than the left arm: the hand being much 
smaller." 

The Battery was stationed in a large low-level clover 
field, about 500 yards from the river, and disposing them- 
selves as comfortably as possible on the limber boxes, 
officers and men slept all night in the mist and rain, with 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 291 

the Battery in position just on the hne of our advance 
pickets, though skirmishers were across the bridge on the 
left bank of the river. Porter's Fifth Coq3S of 20.000 men 
was alone upon the right bank. 

Grows' Journal: "Saturday, May 31. 1862. At 2 this 
afternoon sharp musketry and heavy firing was heard. 
Across the creek our troops and the re?jels are at it again. 
[This was the attack by Johnston on the Left wing of the 
Army of the Potomac commanded by General Silas Casey 
at Fair Oaks, when the Union forces were driven back.] 
The more they fight the sooner it will be over. The balloon, 
which is near us, went up this afternoon, and discovered 
our forces at Bottom's Bridge. We have orders that we 
may be called before morning. At 54 past 9 this eve, we 
were called to hitch out Guns and Caissons to go to a bridge 
about one mile from camp, and guard it. At 10 we started, 
leaving all our things behind except blankets and overcoats. 
We got on to the wrong road and got lost, and did not 
strike the right and get to the bridge till y^ past 3 in the 
morning." 

June ist, 1862, the Battle of Fair Oaks was renewed and 
resulted in the repulse of the rel>els. 

GUARDING THE BRIDGES. 

in tlie valley of the Chickahominy the engineers labored 
under great disadvantage owing to the rising of the river, 
which overflowed its banks until the meadows were all 
afloat, and the completion of the bridge anticipated on Sun- 
dav morning June ist was not so soon accomplished. The 
Battery, however, was relieved at dark, twelve 32 pdrs. 
having come out during the day, and Colonel Alexander 
chief of engineers being of the opinion that two companies 
of infantry and two pieces of artillery were enough to pro- 
tect the bridge. 

The dav was hot, and verv "close" and "muggy," but 



292 HISTORY OF THE 

there were mitigating- circumstances in a barn near by con- 
taining several tons of tobacco, which the men carried back 
to camp on the Gaines Farm, each carrying as much as 
could be transported in his arms. 

Grows' Journal: "Sunday, June i, 1862. 'As dark as 
pitch,' not a star to be seen. Unlimbered and went into 
Battery. This is the Chickahominy swamp, and a bridge has 
got to be built in order for our troops to cross. At Yz past 
4 this morning I laid my blankets on the wet grass and 
clover and laid down. There was a very heavy dew and then 
rain. Got up at 6. We soon moved our guns farther back 
so we can get good range. A queer business for Sunday ! 

Soon after, several regiments of infantry came down to 
protect the batteries and to help on the bridge. They soon 
got themselves to work and then we were dismissed for the 
rest of the day, to make ourselves as comfortable as we 
could but not to go too far away, — to be within hailing 
distance. 

This is a beautiful place, a large plantation. The owner's 
name is Dr. Laws. He is under arrest being one of the 
very rankest 'Secesh.' He raises mostly tobacco; has a 
large barn about 100 ft. from our piece, and in it is about 
$5000 worth of cured tobacco in the leaf. It has not been 
pressed. Our officers told us to help ourselves. It is far 
superior to that which we buy at home. All the men who 
smoke have plentv of cigars, for it is very easy to roll one 
out. The tobacco is packed in the barn all over the floor, 
about 5 ft. thick. 

The sun is awful hc^t today, but I have kept myself in 
the shade of the Barn most of the time. This afternoon I 
was surprised to see Whitcher, who formerly iDelonged to 
the old Battery. He is now a lieutenant in the ist Maryland 
Battery. We have not had any occasion to fire, as yet. 
The battery on our right, — there are 8 of us, — has fired 
about 20 .shots today. Small bcKlies of rebel troops keep 
showing themselves during the day, along the edge of the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 293 

woods, but a shell or two soon scatters them. Our supper 
was brought over to us in good season, and about an hour 
after we got orders to go back to camp. Arrived soon after 
dark." 

June 2d, Monday forenoon, about lo o'clock, the Battery 
went down again to guard the bridge. 

The officers had fried pork, and hasty pudding and 
molasses, for dinner, over which they discussed the situ- 
ation, while heavy firing both of musketry and artillery 
resounded on the left of the line. It was confidently asserted 
in the privacy of camp circles, that if Porter's Corps had 
crossed the Chickahominy on Sunday, June ist, 1862, it 
could have marched straight to Richmond. The enemy's 
forces were then coming round on our right wing, which 
was held by Porter's Corps. 

"This continual moving' [back and forth to the bridge] 
wrote Lt. Phillips, "is a terrible strain on sick men, and 
there are plenty of them here. Not a great many very sick, 
but a large number troubled with slight disorders, enough to 
render them unfit for duty. The country is not so healthy 
as New England, by any means, leaving out the exposure. 
Yesterday [3(1] we remained in camp all day. We were 
ordered to go out into the field, but in consequence of the 
storm, I suppose, General Morell ordered us to stay in 
camp." — A heavy rain flooded the road, and still the bridge 
was impassable. A regiment passed down with shovels and 
axes. The road was to be corduroyed. 

Grows' Journal: "Wednesday, June 4, 1862. We are 
only 5 miles from Richmond, and we will have to fight, I 
expect, every foot of the ground, before we can get into the 
place which is expected to be the winding up place of this 
war. 

Thursday, June 5. An order came this morning about 
8 o'clock to go on picket. About noon the firing on the 
rebel works by our Battery and four others began." 

On June 5. 1862, Captain Allen went home sick, on leave 



294 HISTORY OF THE 

of absence, and the Battery left camp with pieces only, about 
7 a. m., and went down to the clover field to protect the 
bridge. Carlisle's regular batteries 20 pdr. Parrotts, were 
on a hill in the rear, and a Maryland battery was on the 
right of the Fifth Mass. Battery, guarding New Bridge. 

At 8.15 a. m. the Marylanders commenced firing at a rebel 
battery on the other shore and unmasked the battery. The 
Fifth Massachusetts from its position could not see the 
enemy, and only fired two test shots. These were fired by 
the First Detachment. They both fell short as did the solid 
shot of the enemy. 

At 9 a. m., a brisk fire was kept up on both sides, which 
lasted about two hours. Carlisle's batteries threw an oc- 
casional shell over the river [This was the Fifth Brigade 
of the Artillery Reserve, Capt. J. Howard Carlisle com- 
manding, composed of Battery E, 26. U. S., and Batteries 
F, and K, 3d U. S.] 

Shortly after dinner a light battery on the other shore 
supposed to belong to Sumner's Corps, which crossed lower 
down the river, commenced operations. 

In the latter part of the afternoon a few shells were fired 
from the twelve 32 pdrs. brought down on the left to guard 
against contingencies. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"June 6, 1862 : Lately I have had a chance here to witness 
the practical effects of confiscation. Near by the position 
of our Battery is a tobacco store house belonging to Dr. 
Gaines. . . . When we first came here this contained 
several tons of tobacco, but now it has all disappeared, and 
I am afraid Dr. G. will have some difiiculty in finding any 
one to pay for it. Yesterday, as if not content with this, 
the engineer officer building the bridge came up for 
material, and with the help of four men tore the boards off 
one side and end and took out a lot of the joists. We told 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 295 

liim if he wanted the whole we would soon have it down 
for him, but he had got all he wanted, so the building still 
stands, though 1 think its existence will terminate within 
a few days. Dr. G. will begin to experience some of the 
suffering which he and those like him have brought upon 
the country, but not so much as I would like. His clover 
is all being eaten by Union horses, and pretty much every- 
thing growing on his farm will be consumed or trodden 
down by Porter's Division. Fence rails have long since 
disappeared from our vicinity, and the oak woods have lost 
much of their beauty: 15000 men of the Army of the 
Potomac will do a great deal of mischief." 



GENERAL ORDERS JUNE 7, 1862. 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office 

, Washington, June 7. 1862. 

General Orders 

No. 61 

The great number of officers absent from their regiments without 
sufficient cause, is a serious evil which calls for immediate correction. 
By paragraph 177, General Regulations, the power of commanding of- 
ficers to grant leaves of absence is limited to a "time of peace." In 
time of war, leaves of absence will only be granted by the Secretary 
of War. except when the certificate of a medical officer shall show, 
beyond doubt, that a change of location "is necessary to save life, or 
prevent permanent disability." [Paragraph 186, General Regulaf'on<:.] 
In such case, the Commander of an Army, a Department, or District, 
may grant not exceeding twenty days. At the expiration of that time, 
if the oificer he not able to travel, he must make application to the 
Adjutant General of the .A.rmy for an extension, accompanied by the 
certificate of a medical officer of the army, in the usual form, and that 
he is not able to travel. If it be not practicable to procure such a cer- 
tificate, in consequence of there being no army physician in the place 
where the officer resides, the certificate of a citizen physician, attested 
by a civil magistrate, may be substituted. 

All officers of the regulars and volunteers, except those on parole, 
now absent from duty with leave, will be considered "absent without 
leave" [paragraph 1326, General Regulations,] unless they are found 
at their post, within fifteen days from the date of this order, or are 



296 HISTORY OF THE 

authorized by orders from the Adjutant General to be absent, which or- 
ders will in all cases be based on a certificate as above described, and 
must be exhibited to the paymaster before payment is made them. 

All invalid and wounded officers who are able to travel, although 
their disability may not have been removed [paragraph 187, General 
Regulations] will repair, without delay — those from the East to An- 
napolis, to report to the General Commanding the Camp of Instruc- 
tion : those from the West to report to the commanding officer of 
Camp Chase, Ohio. At those points they will remain until able to pro- 
ceed to their regiments, or until an examining board may decide ad- 
versely on their ability to return to duty within a reasonable time, 
and orders may be given by the President for their discharge. 

Their Excellencies, the Governors of States are requested to make 
known this order, and to contribute to its execution, as may be in their 
power. Mustering and Recruiting Officers are directed to do the same. 
Extra copies of the order will be furnished them for distribution. 

Failure to comply with the above regulations will be reported to the 
Adjutant General by Regimental Commanders. 

By Order of the Secretary of War. 

L. Thomas 

Official: Adjutant General. 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



Sunday, June 8, 1862. the Battery was in camp all day: 
Lieut. Dillingham with the Right Section going down to 
New Bridge at sunset to be relieved the next evening. 

June 9th, in the afternoon, the Fifth Corps was reviewed 
by General McClellan and General Fitz John Porter, ac- 
companied by General Prim [Gen. Juan Prim, Count de 
Reuss] commander of Spanish forces in Mexico, who was 
on a visit to the Army of the Potomac; a host of officers of 
lesser rank being attached to the reviewing party. 

The review took place in an open field on the right of 
the road from Gaines Mills to Mechanicsville. 

"We hitched up four pieces'' wrote Lieut. Phillips, "two 
(the Right section) being out on picket, and marched out 
into a large field where the rest of the Division were drawn 
up. We formed in line with the other batteries, and waited 
for the great individual for whose satisfaction w^e were 
there. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 297 

Pretty soon — 'Attention. Present sabre !' — and we pre- 
sented sabre, while General Porter and General Prim rode 
by. General Prim had on a smoking cap very much like 
the royal diadem which you see on the stage. What it was 
made of I cannot ^ay : otherwise he was dressed in a plain, 
dark coat, with one cross and star on his breast. In the 
crowd following came some more Spanish officers, with the 
same style of caps, made out of plaided material, and with 
coats befrogged in every possible place and style." 

THE ARMY.— STRUCTURAL UTILITY. 

Still the confiding army, in ignorance of the suspension 
of McDowell's orders, were looking for his reinforcements. 
Lieut. Phillips wrote in this letter of the 9th of June: — 
"1 have just heard that General McDowell has landed at 
\\'hite House with reinforcements, and though we need 
them, it will not do to wait long in this swamp for more 
men. when the men we have are dropping off like dead 
lea\es in autumn. The popular idea is that soldiers even 
when suffering the most are provided with good tents, but 
our soldiers have not seen the inside of a tent since we left 
the P(5tomac. The infantry have shelter tents, — the 
French icntcs d'abri, — and our men make tents for the oc- 
casion out of tarpaulins and rubber blankets. The shelter 
tents are three feet high and some of our tarpaulin tents 
four or five feet high, but they are all low and consequently 
dark and wet. Add to this the natural carelessness of a 
soldier, the hardships, and hard fare, and a swamp full of 
miasma, and you will be able to understand the sickness 
which prevails here. We have our share of it. This morn- 
ing 2T^ men were reported unfit for duty. Captain Allen is 
home on sick leave, and Lieut. Dillingham temporarily laid 
up with a cramp, which came on this forenoon w^hile he w^as 
out on picket, owing probably to the coldness of last nighr. 
I hear of companies who turn out twelve or fifteen men on 



298 HISTORY OF THE 

parade, and the Doctor of the N. Y. 44th told me that he 
thought half this army were unfit for duty. Our numbers 
are fast diminishing, and it will not do to wait much longer. 
Not that I think numbers make much difference, for the 
rebels suffer as much or more than we do, and I will risk 
our men against any reasonable odds, but I like to spare 
our men. I do not know but it is more terrible to read of 
500 killed in battle than of 2000 dying of disease, but as this 
is somewhat a matter of taste, I had rather, for my part, 
have my head shot off by a cannon ball, than shake to death 
with fever and ague. It is more glorious, besides being 
more comfortable." 

In relation to organization he wrote June loth, 1862. 
Tuesday evening: — 'Tt seems to me that we have enougli 
regimental organizations and officers, and the best plan is to 
recruit up to the maximum standard the regiments now in 
service; and to discharge as fast as possible the sick and 
disabled men who increase our strength only on paper. . . . 

It has now become quite useless to estimate the strength 
of an army by the number of regiments. In our Division 
the strength varies very much. The 22d Mass. 800 men; 
9th Mass. [infantry] as much or more; i8th Mass. 700 
men; 25th N. Y. 200 men; 44th N. Y. 350 men &c., the 
average being perhaps 450 eft"ective men to a regiment. 
Massachusetts, you see, comes out ahead. So this Division, 
which numbered 15000 men is really reduced to an effective 
6000 or 7000. The situation and weather here are very 
bad, the ground is damp and miasmatic, and it rains as a 
general thing. Luckily our tent is water proof and an 
elaborate system of outside drainage constructed under the 
pressure of a former storm, keeps the floor dry. Then I 
have an elegant bedstead constructed of four crotches, two 
fence rails and a secession bed sacking, — confiscated. 
Scott has a regular camp bedstead, but it is not half so warm 
and comfortable as mine. The principal trouble about this 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 299 

kind of living is that you have to get on the bed to un- 
dress, and hang up your clothes on top of you after vou 
have got to bed. In fact the bed is a universal repository 
for everything, saddle, sabre, pistol, spurs, newspapers, and 
everything else which it will not do to put on the ground." 

June II, 1862, the Centre Section was on picket at New 
Bridge; on the 12th, the Left Section. 

It was understood that the rebels on the opposite shore 
were firing the guns they captured May 31st at Fair Oaks. 
When they did any good shooting they were always using 
our guns. Their practice was to bring a gun down into the 
woods, fire a few shots, and as soon as our batteries replied 
they would limber up and retire or open in some new 
position. Whenever they made their appearance they met 
with a lively reception. Every day a balloon went up and 
it was supposed the occupant kept a good lookout. 

With the pleasant weather the tiood in the Chickahominy 
was rapidly falling, and about half a mile below the bridge 
the Battery had been guarding. Smith's Division, by the 
13th, had thrown up a very respectable earthwork, much 
stronger than a mere parallel or rifle pit and as strong in the 
estimation of Lieut. Phillips as many of the defenses of 
Yorktown. "From a tall flagstaff," he wrote, "in the centre 
of the work a large American flag floats defiantly, in sight, 
I should think, of Richmond." 

IN THE EARTHWORKS. 

McClellan's Head Quarters crossed to the left bank of 
the river. Our pickets were over on that side, and Berdan's 
Sharpshooters in front of them within, in some cases, 
25 yards of the rebel pickets. Lieut. Phillips was ordered 
Saturday morning, June 14th, to take his section down to 
New Bridge to reinforce Lieut. Scott and the Right Section. 
The route, as described, followed various turnings and 
twistings until out of the field, when the Batterv moved 



300 HISTORY OF THE 

down a hill, across a brook, up a hill by Dr. Gaines's 
"gate posts," the fence and gate having disappeared some 
time since, on a half mile, then a turn to the left and 
straight ahead for a mile. Lieut. Scott's two pieces were 
m a new earthwork a little above New Bridge close by the 
edge of the swamp. 

The line was 120 ft. long, 2 ft. 6 inches high, 20 ft. 
thick. There were beds for four pieces, on each side of 
which was a depression 3 ft. deep, into which the limbers 
were backed. 

The swamp was full of trees, so that nothing could he 
seen from their position. 

Instructions came from General Porter to be very careful 
and wide awake. The enemy had made a demonstration in 
the rear — a cavalry attack — cutting off a wagon train, and 
fears were entertained for one of the wagons with George 
Shaw. They had also driven in the pickets at one bridge. 
The Division was in great excitement all day and night. 
Martin's Battery starts out of camp three times and re- 
mains harnessed, ready to move. Lieut. Phillips was 
relieved at 9 p. m. on the 13th by Captain Weeden and 
returned to camp, but was ready to move all night. 

Lieut. Hyde with the Right Section stayed in the earth- 
works. 

Captain Griffin had been promoted. He was now Briga- 
dier General. 

THE FIRST DEATH IN CAMP. 

Saturday, June 14, 1862, Corporal Henry C. Parsons 
died in the hospital, in the afternoon, of typhoid fever. 
Grows helped bring him into camp. He left a wife and 
three children. 

The next morning there were funeral services for the 
first time, and the body was sent to White House Landing 
on the way home to Maiden, Mass. The camp had grown 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 301 

dreary and disagreeable. The grass was all worn off, and 
old boxes, barrels and the other dcnris of a camp were 
strewn around. The place was called Gaines Hill and the 
owner Dr. Gaines was under arrest in one of the buildings. 
He owned about 150 slaves. George Shaw, who started 
from White House just in time to meet the rebels on their 
raid, and who ought to have arrived with his wagon load 
of horse shoes &c., besides provisions for the officers' mess, 
was detained, and the officers' diet was salt junk and hard 
bread and hasty pudding, with on one occasion a feu- 
cherries, and at others a glass of lemonade, but on Sunday 
afternoon the 15th, George Shaw with the wagon rolled 
into camp. He left White House all right, and had got 
seven miles out on the road when he met a company of 
cavalry retreating full gallop, so he turned and kept his 
horse on the gallop till he reached his point of departure. 
Then he took a new start and came through safely. There 
was a train of 50 other teams and only 5 men escaped with 
their lives. Infantry and cavalry were ordered out in pur- 
suit. The off.cers that night dined on boiled ham ajid string 
beans. 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"June 16 1862, ^Monday, at 6 p. m. the Battery left 
camp with the six guns only. The Right section under 
Lieut. Scott and the Centre section under Lieut. Phillips in 
the earthwork at New Bridge, Lieut. Hyde and the Left 
section at the bridge above. Fourteen hundred yards in 
front of our earthworks was Lewis Hill covered with trees 
from which we were fired upon, our men in response aim- 
ing at the flash of their guns which alone was visible. 

Four of Griffin's pieces were in the battery and the Fifth 
Mass. delayed its approach while they limbered i\\) and 
came out, then ran the guns behind the breastworks, the 
enemy's shot and shell flying at them; the fragments of the 



302 HISTORY OF THE 

shells striking under the horses which were hurried out of 
the way. Their guns were oi>e 12 pdr. and one 3 inch 
Rifled Gun. For two hours the firing was incessant with 
no casualties on our side. One piece of shell broke the 
sponge stafif on the 4th piece and another rolled over the 
parapet on to Leach's back, but did no harm." 

''We used," [Chase's Diary] "4" elevation, and 3I sec- 
ond fuze while firing." 

Phillips wrote "Corporal Nye, 3d piece, made some 
very pretty shots. The rebels had the range perfectly. 
As far as the proximity of shells was concerned it beat 
Yorktown all to pieces, but there was in reality almost no 
danger, as we were sheltered completely by the friendly 
pile of dirt in front of us. The rebels fired first rate, but 
if we had had as fair a sight at them as they had at us. 
somebody would have got hurt at their guns." 

In the night the rebels cut down the trees that masked 
their earthwork, and all the next day our men could hear 
the music in the enemy's camp. 

Grows of Charlestown celebrated the anniversary by 
buying some lemons and making some lemonade. 

At eight o'clock, after dark, on the 17th, the Battery was 
relieved by Captain John R. Smead, Battery K, 5th U. S. 
artillery, and it went back to camp, leaving it after supper 
for a position on the hill by Dr. Gaines's house, where 
were two 20 pdr. Parrotts; sending the horses back to 
camp. 

In the morning of the i8th, INlartindale's Brigade and 
Griffin's Battery had marched to Mechanicsville and re- 
turned in the evening. Throwing up earthworks was the 
order of the day on both sides; the rebels shovelling dirt 
on Lewis Hill, and the Union soldiers piling it up on their 
side of the river. 

The Battery was in position on Gaines Hill where it had 
been since the evening of the 17th, Lieuts. Phillips and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 303 

Scott in charge of the guns, "turning in" under a tent fly. 
when at noon of the i8th. General Fitz John Porter desired 
to have some 3 inch Schenkle percussion shell of a new- 
pattern tested, which process Lt. Phillips thus describes : — 

"We aimed one piece at a pile of dirt which the rebels 
were at work on, close by Mrs. Price's house; distance 2400 
yards, elevation 7 1-20, and blazed away. The shots went 
first rate, all bursting. 

The first shot fell a little short, the second struck right 
in the earthworks, burst beautifully, and five more gave a 
similar good account of themselves. 

When w^e stopped, the rebels commenced firing at us 
with a ten pounder Parrott, using no fuzes. Their shots 
went first rate, one striking just eighteen yards in front of 
the Right piece — for I paced off the distance. — Another 
struck about 20 feet in front of a large crowd, who had 
gathered to witness the sport, whereupon they 'skedaddled' 
in lively style, but before General Porter and his attendant 
crowd could get off the hill, they sent a dozen shots wdiiz- 
zing round our heads from one of our ow^i ten pdr. Parrotts 
captured at Fair Oaks. 

During the afternoon General McClellan and staff rode 
up to our Battery, took a look at things and rode off. 
[See p. 310 McClellan's new base.] Toward sunset a lively 
engagement commenced between the rebels and our battery 
at New Bridge and I thought the rebels had rather the 
best of it, putting every shell just where they wanted it, 
but our 20 pdr. Parrotts on the hill in the rear of the New- 
Bridge battery, took it up and made some great shots. 

The balloon w^ent up to do the observing, and the enemy 
fired two shots at it from their 10 pdr. Parrotts. One wen: 
sailing over our heads into the woods near our horses and 
ricocheted into the infantry camp, and the other, fired 
while the balloon was descending, i)assed close to it and 



304 HISTORY OF THE 

struck the bank between the balloon and Captain Griffin's 
camp. The distance must have been 5000 yards." 

REINFORCEMENTS. 

On June 19, 1862, the Fifth Corps, still on the north 
bank of the Chickahominy, was reinforced by the loth N. 
Y., the ist Michigan, McCall's Division, and the cavalry 
commands of Generals Cooke and Stoneman. 

Grows' Journal: "J""^ 19, 1862. About 10 this fore- 
noon some new shell of Schenkle patent came, and we were 
ordered to fire on the rebels who are in easy sight. Throw- 
ing up breastworks we fired five rounds, which caused them 
to 'skedaddle' and then they commenced firing at us, but 
did not do any hurt or good, and they soon 'dried up.' 

After dinner Harry Simonds and I went into one of the 
slave cabins to get some water, and had quite a chat with 
the old woman of the shanty. They are a very peculiar 
class, and make a great deal of money by this war, selling 
hot cakes, and such things, to the soldiers." 

On the 20th, one shell fired by the rebels struck m 
Captain Weeden's camp, and others went an indefinite 
distance over the woods. Some were fired at the 20 pdr. 
Parrotts on the hill, in the rear of New Bridge, but missed 
the mark. 

Eleven bridges had now been built across the Chicka- 
hominy and seven were available, viz., Bottom's Bridge, 
the Railroad Bridge, the Foot Bridge, Duane's Bridge, 
Woodbury's Infantry Bridge, Woodbury and Alexander's 
Bridge, and Sumner's Upper Bridge or the Grapevine 
Bridge, the one over which Sumner had crossed to win the 
battle of Fair Oaks. 

All of the Army of 100,000 men had passed over to the 
south side, except Porter's Corps and McCall's Division. 
While McClellan built bridges the enemy constructed 
earthworks. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 305 



LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Friday morning. June 20. 1862. the picket relief, return- 
ing, waked up the rehel 10 pdrs., and they banged away in 
our direction. At the first shot, which fell short, the men 
looked a little astonished, not knowing what to make of it. 
At the second shot which went over their heads a loud 
laugh went up from the whole picket. The third shot 
struck close to them, and instantly came the order 'Double 
Quick. March !' and off they went. The rebels have at 
present two guns mounted in this battery of 4 and 5 inches 
calibre respectively, throwing shot weighing 30 and 40 
pounds. The 40 pdr. is the heaviest rifled gun they have, 
and is the same as the guns which burst at Yorktown. 

A deserter who came in, says, I am told, that they have 
four or five more 40 pdrs. which they are going to mount, 
and that the 30 pdr. is a Parrott gun which they took at 
Bull Run. 

Our position is a splendid one for artillery practice. The 
meadows on the banks of the Chickahominy run back with- 
out rising much on each side about half a mile. A narrow 
belt of trees lines the banks of the river, and beyond the 
low plain on each side rises a line of wooded hills, with 
clearings and openings here and there. These hills are 
from 1500 to 4000 yd.s. apart, and batteries are planted 
along their whole length. 

The rebel guns that I know of are as follows : — 

First a 10 pdr. Parrott near Mrs. Price's house, then 
comes a long, wooded hill, stretching a mile perhaps to the 
westward. Hidden in this we can just discern the outlines 
of a breastwork apparently running the whole length of 
the hill in a continuous line. How many guns they have 
here we do not know, but as yet they have fired only three, 
a 12 pdr., a three inch Rifled Gun and one gun near the 
western limit of the hill, whose calibre I do not know. Then 



30() HISTORY OF THE 

still farther to the west comes their large gun battery situ- 
ated on the top of a bare, sandy hill, and sweeping the 
whole valley of the Chickahominy from Mechanicsville to 
Gaines Hill. 

These comprise the rebel defenses of the Chickahominy, 
but only a short distance from the end of our bridge lies 
Smith's Division and the right of our intrenchments, 
whose high parapet and deep embrasures give warning of 
what is coming. And on our side we are not idle. Our 
light guns, placed as a temporary protection to bridges, 
have been withdrawn, and the rebels may console them- 
selves with the empty satisfaction of having driven us out 
of sight : but to do it they have disclosed to us their own 
strength, told us the calibre and position of their guns, and 
wasted their precious ammunition in a useless game of 
random shots. We are shovelling dirt diligently and when 
we open, the rebels will find that they have something more 
than light field batteries to contend against. 

When it comes to artillery practice the odds are so 
tremendously in our favor, that the result will not long 
be doubtful. In nothing have the rebels shown themselves 
so inferior as in their management of artillery\ They have 
good gunners, but their artillery officers show a frivolity 
altogether inconsistent with the gravity of this arm of 
the service. Here, as at Yorktown, instead of husbanding 
their resources in order to be ready at the decisive moment 
with that concentration and continuity of fire which alone 
makes artillery useful, they use up their ammunition in a 
kind of worrying game, which might be useful in a gue- 
rilla war, but is not likely to have much effect upon a large 
army. It is very irritating for a solitary individual to find 
himself a target for a 40 pdr. gun, merely because he walks 
across a field in front of the enemy, but, inasmuch as it is 
next to impossible to hit him, it is rather a waste of powder 
and shot, and will not be likely to drive us away from 
Richmond. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 307 

For the last few days they have been firing away at tlie 
battery at New Bridge. They have made good shots, 
struck the parapet ahnost every time, and half stifled the 
men inside with smoke, but what damage have they done 
us? Broken a sponge staff and a few spokes to a wheel, 
and at any time we choose, we can put a battery in there 
again. If they intend to demolish the battery why don't 
they go to work in a business like way and hammer away 
for eight or ten hours without stopping, and finish up the 
job? Instead of this they fire forty or fifty shots and then 
stop, leaving our men at liberty to repair damages." 

Of the firing of the 20th Lieut. Phillips wrote at another 
time : — "For half an hour this battery was the hottest place 
I ever saw ! Our men kept well under cover, and though 
the rebels hit the parapet almost every time, I have not 
heard of anybody's being hurt."' 

In Chase's Diary it is stated that the enemy used all 
sorts of shot and shell, 1)oth round and conical : twenty, 
thirty-two and forty pounders. 

Grows' Journal: "June 20, 1862. Friday. About 8 this 
morning the rebels opened upon us with 3 in. 10 lb. shell 
and 5 in. 32 lb. shell, but they did not hurt us any for our 
little tents were in the woods out of the way, and were well 
])rotected by large oak trees. The second shot they fired 
went over our heads and struck one of the 2d Maine, killing 
him instantly. The poor fellow was asleep in his tent at the 
time, and he never awoke again in this world. 

We soon opened upon them and in a short time they 
stopped firing. We could hear their drums beat, and see 
them at work. They are about i^ miles from us. The 
infantry throw up works most every night. Our Battery 
is held back to i)rotect the rear; a good position, but we 
have to keep in the woods, out of sight. We have been 
ordered to move to the splendid lawn in front of Dr. 
Gaines's house. It is well shaded with large oak trees. . . . 
After supper moved our quarters to the Gaines house." 



308 HISTORY OF THE 

On this ground there was a well which gave the only good 
water they had had for some time. 

Grows' Journal : "Saturday, June 21, 1862. On the farm 
are some thirty slaves : all the rest have run away. They 
are a smart looking set. After supper I met, and talked 
a little with Dr. Gaines. He is quite an old man. His wife 
is a strong Union woman. He has two daughters who 
are 'secesh' to the backbone. 

Sunday, June 22d. About 7 the balloon went up and 
the rebels began shelling it, but could not hit it. Then they 
commenced firing where we were stationed on picket. 
After throwing five or six shells they stopped. It is a beau- 
tiful morning and everything around looks nice. Took all 
the things out of my tent and laid them on the grass to air." 

This lawn did not hold the Battery but a very short time, 
for the enemy constructed a battery of six 30 pdr. Parrotts 
in such close proximity as to make their position untenable, 
and they moved nearer to the river. The same day Dr. 
Gaines's wife and one of his daughters with what few slaves 
they had left, moved to Gaines Mills. 

Grows' Journal. "Monday, June 23, 1862. Was called 
at 4 this morning and went on post. At 5 I called the 
Bugler to sound the Reveille. Soon after heard the rebels 
beating their drums to call the men. The air is very clear 
this morning. Got orders to pack up immediately after 
breakfast, so as to move our camp out of the range of 
shells; two others with myself were left behind to guard 
camp — to look after the stores till the teams came to carry 
them to our new camp. Soon after dinner the ambulance 
came over and began taking things over to camp, as the 
teams will not be up before night. . . . After supper I 
went to see the new intrenchments the infantry are throw- 
ing up. They are splendid works. 

A short distance from here and almost back of Dr. 
Gaines's house, are eleven fresh rebel graves, mostly North 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 309 

Carolina men who were wounded at Hanover Court House. 
About 6 feet from our cook house are five graves of our 
men of the 22d. Mass. One died of fever, the others of 
wounds. 

About half past 6, I went over to our new camp, about 
10 minutes' walk, in a delightful place, — a cleared space 
surrounded by thick and tall woods. There is a spring 
near by of beautiful water. Found my tent all ready. It 
had been pitched by Joe Knox out in the Park. All the 
rest of the tents are in the edge of the woods, and the little 
road they have cut leading to them is beautiful.'' 

The Battery was alone in the new camp, and had all the 
room that could be desired. Chase makes the note in his 
Diary : — ''Changed camp to a delightful grove of young 
trees, and begin to be happy." But the very first night there 
was a gale and heavy rain. 

The officers' tents were on top of a hill where they could 
get the benefit of wdiatever breeze was blowing, and the 
first evening there was a terrific thunder storm. At mid- 
night the tents blew over. The next day they were obliged 
to build a bridge "to connect the camp with civilization," 
which they accomplished, having the usual thunder storm 
in the afternoon. 

THE SITUATION. 

General Porter's command had been distributed as fol- 
lows : — Meade's Brigade at the Gaines house near a siege 
battery; Sykes' and Morell's and McCall's Divisions with 
a part of the Ca\'alry Reserve camped on the Gaines Farm 
conveniently located for a movement in any direction their 
presence was required. 

Opposed to these Union forces were the Divisions of 
Jackson, Ewell and Whiting, at least double their number. 

Information was received that our connection with 



310 HISTORY OF THE 

White House Landing was threatened by the rebel 
general Jackson, and the commander of the Army of the 
Potomac began planning for a new base of operations on 
the James River to which he had secured a safe passage 
over White Oak Swamp, and commissary, quartermaster, 
and ordnance supplies had been sent to the new base. 
[See p. 253 McClellan's choice.] It will be rememljered 
that on a previous occasion McClellan's judgment as to the 
base had been overruled. 

The Centre and Left of the Army were now instructed to 
move to the relief of the Right wing in case of attack. 

There were ten heavy guns in battery on the banks 
of the Chickahominy; five 30 pdr. Parrotts on Gaines Hill 
and five 4I inch Rodmans in the hill battery in the rear of 
the New Bridge battery. 

"June 25, 1862, (Chase's Diary) the whole Battery 
went on a junket in the morning near New Bridge with 
pieces only. Left camp about 2 a. m. Dedicated the second 
fortification by shelling the enemy early a. m. The enemy 
replied to our fire with well directed shots, throwing 6 and 
10 pounder shots and shells at us, but as we had good forti- 
fications they did us no injury. Heavy cannonading all 
day; two batteries of ^2 pounders and two batteries of 
10 pounders shelling the enemy with short intervals of cessa- 
tion, all day. Fired 97 rounds from the whole Battery 
today, elevation 4^° and 7^ second fuze; best shot 4|° 
6^ second fuze. Picked up five conical shells and two solid 
shot fired at us, and started a bowling alley with them in 
the afternoon. Left for camp at eight p. m. The 7th 
Georgia Reg't was on rebel picket line today." 

Of "Battery No. 4" Lieut. Scott has written: — "Lieut. 
Hyde was in command of the Fifth Mass. Battery, Lieut. 
Dillingham had been transferred from the Left Section to the 
Right Section; Lieut. Phillips commanded the Centre Sec- 
tion; it devolved on myself to take the Left Section. The 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 311 

rebels had their eartliworks opposite New Bridge, which 
had been rebuilt, to oppose any crossing by our forces. Our 
pickets held the Bridge and earthw^orks were thrown up to 
shield our batteries which also did picket tluty. The Fifth 
Battery was placed behind these works at different times, 
and had duelled with the enemy. We took good care to go 
into these works before daylight and leave them after dark, 
when relieved. We remained there the entire day, subject 
to an incessant fire from the rebel guns opposite. We only 
fired our guns occasionally, to let them know we were still 
there. Of course horses were kept at a safe distance in the 
rear." 

Lieut. Phillips wrote of the same date, June 25, 1862: 
"The weather had become settled and we passed into the 
earthworks covering New Bridge, a new 6 gun battery 
No. 4. The work is quite strong, with embrasures and 
traverses to protect us from the flanking fire from the big 
gun battery. Four pieces from some battery are down in 
the old earthwork at New Bridge which has been strength- 
ened and made quite secure; the parapet having been raised 
and embrasures cut. All our batteries have been l)lazing 
away, more or less. One gun is reported burst near Mrs. 
Price's house, and the hill battery think they have dis- 
mounted one of the rebel big guns. They put quite a num- 
ber of shot into the embrasure. The rebels have answered 
rather feebly, making a few good shots in our vicinity. 
They have fired 3 inch shot. . . . 

Kearney's Division I hear attacked the rebels today, driv- 
ing them a mile. 

At night we arrived safely in camp and went to bed. We 
have received 200 rds. Schenkle 3 inch shell, which we are 
now packing. . . . 

Our pickets report that we made excellent shooting, and 
that after a few shots the rebels skedaddled out of the bat- 
terv into Mrs. Price's house. We struck the house twice." 



312 HISTORY OF THE 



THE ARMY OF VIRGINIA. 

The Army of Virginia was inaugurated June 26, 1862, 
and placed under command of General John Pope, for the 
protection of Washington, and for aggressive movements in 
the direction of Charlottesville, and the relief of McClellan. 

This army was composed of three corps under Sigel, 
Banks, and McDowell. 

McClellan wished to allow Porter, who was to give bat- 
tle to the enemy and enable McClellan to hold his own for a 
few hours, and insure the safety of his trains during the 
change of base to the James River, all the reinforcements 
which could be spared from the south side of the river, and 
asked each commander of a corps for all he could spare and 
sufficiently protect his own position for twenty-four hours, 
but they believed the enemy still to be in force and threat- 
ening their positions on the south side and held on to them, 
so Porter fought it out alone. 

Thursday, June 26, 1862, in the afternoon, the enemy 
crossed the Chickahominy in several columns in the vicinity 
of Mechanicsville and Meadow Bridge, flanked the Right 
wing of the Army of the Potomac, and attacked McCall's 
Division at Beaver Dam Creek just north of the Mechanics- 
ville turnpike. The expected had happened and supplies 
were cut off in that direction. 

The morning was passed in quiet, but about half past 4 
p. m. the Fifth Mass. Battery broke camp. They sent their 
baggage across the river at a bridge lower down held by our 
forces. With the wagons went Lieut. Dillingham, a sick 
man and unfit for duty. They marched with full battery in 
support o.f Cooke's cavalry and General Butterfield's Bri- 
gade, according to the orders, to repel attack at Cold Har- 
bor. 

This was the first intimation they had of an impendino- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 313 

battle, though they had been expecting an attack at Alechan- 
icsville for some time. They had heard firing all day but 
had taken no notice of it, as it was nothing unusual. 

After marching two miles in the direction of Cold Har- 
bor, they turned and marched towards Mechanicsville to the 
assistance of McCall and Sykes. In their march they had 
made the complete circuit of their camp and bivouacked 
with Butterfield's Brigade in a large field 2^ miles short of 
Mechanicsville, and f of a mile in front of the Gaines 
house. They could see the shells bursting over the tops of 
the trees, and from 5 p. m. until dark they could hear heavy 
cannonading and sharp musketry firing towards Mechanics- 
ville where McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves were closely 
engaged. 

Grows' Journal : "June 26. . . . We were thus moved 
about till dark when we were sent near to our old camp, but 
did not unhitch till about 1 1 o'clock at night. Had some 
supper and got ready to lay down, but was told I would 
have to go on guard at 2 in the morning. Laid down but 
could not sleep." 

Perfect silence was ordered, and officers and men lay 
down on the ground, every man spreading his blanket 
alongside his piece to be ready at a moment's notice. 

They had three days' rations in their haversacks. Gen- 
eral McClellan was with General Fitz John Porter at the 
front until the contest at Beaver Dam Creek ceased at 9 
p. m. with our troops in possession of the field, returning to 
his headquarters at one o'clock in the morning. 

At 3 a. m. of June 27th, orders came to Porter to with- 
draw the Fifth Corps to the vicinity of Gaines Mills, with 
both flanks resting on the Chickahominy covering the 
bridges. 



CHAPTER X. 

The Battle of Gaines Mills, 
June 27, 1862. 

"And now I come to speak of the real fighting of the Peninsula. 
To my mind, nothing that came after exceeded it in the valor and 
tactical merit displayed, or in reckless charges or losses in a given 
time." 

— Brevet Brigadier-General Thomas W. Hyde. 

Longstreet, commanding the rebel forces, was at IMechan- 
icsville on the 27th of June, 1862, all ready to move down 
upon either side of the Chickahominy. He was then close 
upon Porter's Fifth Corps. It was thought by McCiellan 
to be necessary to fight the enemy where he stood, and hold 
the position till night, his mind being still bent upon per- 
fecting his arrangements for the change of base to the 
James River, and at 3 a. m.. General Porter received orders 
directing him to withdraw his command to a semicircular 
line east of Gaines Mills, and behind Boatswain's creek, the 
rtanks resting on the Chickahominy, and including in its 
sweep the high grounds east of the creek. 

In front were the ravines of the creek, on the east woods 
and underbrush, on the north and west swamps and wood 
land, while on the hills to the north was cleared ground 
crossed by fences and ditches. The bridge approaches 
could be covered by the positions on these hills. 

No fault could be found with the choice of this line but 
the time for making the defenses was limited, and the men 
and means were inadequate, to carry out these well laid 
plans for a line two miles in length. The action at Gaines 
Mills commenced about 2 p. m. During the afternoon 

314 



GA/NES Mills. 












I. Geveral Por ter's Pir^t Head Quarters. Z His Secorial Meaci Qvarfers. 
3. Marh'vJaJe -4. Sec f ion o/ Weedeyii, Battery . S. Bvtfer/je7d. 6.Gr7//jv. 
7. /iarti-n's Battery 8."!^ 3. Ravines. 9* a 5'^Mass.Baffery. 10. 
ThickTy njooded, 7oxv, sioarnvy ground. Th-ro-ugh zuhTch the. 
JReiefs cliar^ed. //.First at fac7( of ^eic7s on Urjion iTnes. Z^- 
Other U-niort BatteTies. /3. Rele7 Batteries. /4. Position o/ 
iatterje S w7?e7} t7?e repulsed Cai/a/ry rode tJirozt^'h them 
and put thern in disorder, ancH caziSed the Joss of many qzins. 
/S. first bridyk destroyed. /6. Second bridge- destroyed- 
/7. Gzcn aimeol at Gaines Hoxjse during the mo-rniny. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 315 

McClellan ordered up Slocum's Division to the support of 
Porter; also the brigades of French and Meagher of Rich- 
ardson's Division; also two brigades of Peck's Division, but 
inasmuch as none of them but Slocum's came within reliev- 
ing distance, their support of Fitz John Porter at the battle 
of Gaines Mills is lost to history. 

At first the 3d Brigade held the position on the extreme 
Left of the line, with the Fifth Mass. Battery, Lieut. Hyde 
in command, on the right and rear of the brigade, then Gen- 
eral Alorell coming up with the remainder of his Division, 
Martindale's Brigade was placed on the right of Butterfield, 
and Griffin's Brigade on the right of Martindale's. 

Sykes held the Right of the line, and McCall was in 
reserve. Martin's Battery was on the right of Morell, com- 
manding the road. 

The Left extended into the meadow about half a mile 
from Woodbury's Bridge. 

Porter's Right was first engaged. 

The forces immediately opposed to the Fifth Mass. Bat- 
tery are believed to have been a brigade of five Alabama 
regiments. 

General Porter's headquarters first at the Adams house, 
were later at the Watts house on a hill near the front. 
Among his volunteer aides were the Prince de Joinville, 
Captain Louis Philippe (Comte de Paris) and Captain Rob- 
ert d'Orleans (Due de Chartres). The new line had been 
safely reached and occupied, defenses and barriers were 
erected of whatever material was available, and Porter ex- 
pected to hold it. Most of the artillery was formed in line 
about a quarter of a mile in the rear of the infantry. For an 
hour the firing had continued; at 3 o'clock the enemy had 
charged and been repulsed, but not until four o'clock, when 
the battle had been raging two hours, was Porter's appeal 
for more troops answered by the arrival of Newton's Brigade 
of Slocum's Division, which moved to the right of Griffin. 
Still the line remained unbroken, but at last, massing their 



316 HISTORY OF THE 

superior numbers, from 60,000 to 70.000 supported by 80 
pieces of artillery to our 25.000 at most fighting men, on the 
Left, the rebels bore down the broken regiments of Butter- 
field's Brigade. 

Captain William B. Weeden, on duty as chief of artillery. 
I St Division, promoted from the command of Battery C, ist 
Reg't. R. I. Light Artillery, reports : — . . . "The smoke 
had filled the whole field to the woods and it was impossible 
to direct the fire. The batteries were limbering to the rear 
in good order, to retire and renew the fire from the brow 
of the hill, when the cavalry, repulsed, retired in disorder, 
through and in front of the batteries. The caissons were ex- 
changing limbers with the pieces and it was impossible to 
limber up and withdraw them. Men were ridden down and 
the horses stampeded by the rush of the cavalry. The whole 
line of artillery was thrown into confusion. Commands 
could be neither heard nor executed, and different batteries 
were mingled in disorder. One piece of my battery mired 
in the woods. Other caissons in front and rear of the same, 
having been abandoned by the drivers, it was impossible to 
rescue the piece. The remainder of the battery crossed 
Woodbury's Bridge at dark, and encamped on Trent's 
farm." 

REPORT OF GEN. GEO. W. MORELL. 

(June 27th.) "The Third and First Brigades were each 
in two lines, with small intervals; the Second in one line, 
with one regiment in reserve. Martin's Battery was in the 
open field between my Division and General Sykes's on niv 
right, mine being on the extreme left. 

A section of Weeden's (Fourth R. L) under Lt. Buckley, 
was placed at an opening through the timber in General 
Martindale's line, and a section of Allen's (Fifth Mass.) in 
a like position in General Butterfield's. The rest could not 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 317 

be brought into action. . . . The enemy approached through 
the woods from the direction of New Cold Harbor, and 
made their first serious attack about 12 o'clock upon the 
Right, which was handsomely repulsed by Griffin's Brigade. 

The second attack was made about 2.30, and the third 
about 5.30 o'clock, each extending along my entire front, 
and both, like the first, w^ere gallantly repulsed. At the 
fourth and last about 6.30 o'clock, they came in irresistible 
force, and throwing themselves chiefly against the Centre 
and Left, swept us from the ground by overwhelming num- 
bers, and compelled us to retire. Lt. Bucklev lost his two 
guns yet without discredit, for he fought them to the last 
moment, having but three men, including non-commissioned 
officers, left to each piece, when the infantry gave way. 

As we retired the artillery opened fire from the Left and 
Rear, but the pressure was so great that the troops could 
not be rallied, except in small lx)dies, to support it. Besides, 
General (Philip St. George) Cooke's cavalry, having been 
repulsed in a charge upon the enemy's Right, rode at full 
speed obliquely through a large portion of the artillery, car- 
rying men and horses along with them. The cavalry re- 
formed under the hill beyond the reach of musketry, and 
advancing to the neighborhood of the Adams house im- 
parted some steadiness to the infantry near them." 



REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. DANIEL BUTTERFIELD. 

(June 27.) "The following was the disposition of my 
brigade : Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers on the 
creek, with its right connecting with General ]\Iartindale's 
left (First Michigan Regiment). Forty-fourth New York 
to the left, and on the same line of Eisfhtv-third : Twelfth 
New York on the crest of the hill in rear of and supporting 
the Eighty-third : Sixteenth ^Michigan back of crest of hill, 



318 HISTORY OF THE 

in rear of and supporting the Forty-fourth : Allen's Fifth 
Massachusetts Battery to the right and rear of my position, 
so situated as to be used at any point of the line I might 
wish. Skirmishers from the Eighty-third and Forty-fourth 
Regiments, together with the sharpshooters of the Six- 
teenth Michigan, were thrown w^ell forward on the brow 
of the hill, commanding our entire lines. . . . The first at- 
tack of the enemy in force on my brigade, took place at 
about 2.30 o'clock p. m., it having been preceded by a like 
attack on the Right and Centre of the general line. So 
soon as it began I ordered a section of Allen's Battery to 
take a position opposite to and fire through an interval in 
the woods commanding the hill in front of my centre. Their 
fire proved very destructive to the assaulting column. . . . 

. . . The second attack of the enemy, preceded as in the 
first one by an attack on the Right and Centre, took place at 
about 5.30 o'clock p. m., and was more severe, but so far as 
the result is concerned met with a like reception and repulse 
I brought forward my two reserves and had all my force 
engaged." 

Of the third and last assault which took place shortly 
after 6 p. m. he says : — "So emboldened were the enemy by 
their success in getting on all sides of my command, that a 
regiment sent a flag of truce to the Eighty-third, demanding 
their surrender. This was indignantly refused, and the 
regiment expended its last round of ammunition in fighting 
its way out. A large portion of these succeeded in forming 
in good order on the hill in rear of the batteries, and wnth 
other fragments of commands, aided by the Prince de Join- 
ville. Captain Hoyt and Major Webb of the regular artillery, 
and Colonel Roberts, Second Maine, two good lines of 
troops were formed with some degree of precision. The 
firing of the artillery closed the scene and saved us all from 
destruction." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 319 

OFFICIAL REPORT OF LT. JOHN B. HYDE. 
ORIGINAL COPY. 

Camp near Harrison's Landing, 
July 5, 1862. 

Capt. Weeden, 

Chief of Artillery Gen. Morell's Division. 

I have the honor to make the following report as regards 
the Battery under my command. 

June 26th was ordered to report to General Butterfield, 
and proceeded with his Brigade in direction of Coal Har- 
bor, and was subsequently ordered back to a field near Gen. 
Morell's Head Quarters, took position near the woods; 
afterwards was ordered to the field formerly occupied by 
the Reserve Artillery, remained there until 3 a. m. of the 
27th. was then ordered to take position "in Battery" to the 
Left and near Dr. Gaines's House to command the bridge in 
front [see notes of Captain Hyde j\Tay 22, 1900 p. 320] and 
to cover the retreat of our troops, and then to retire after all 
were over and the bridge destroyed; this being accomplished 
took position again on the other side of a bridge, on a hill 
about 100 yards from the woods, and was again ordered to 
take positon at the edge of the woods by General Butter- 
field [see notes p. 321] and with the assistance of his Brigade, 
drove the enemy back several times in great disorder, after 
which we resumed our position on the hill, and remained in 
readiness for the enemy to come out of the woods, then to 
give them double canister, which we did with great effect 
until our support gave way and we were obliged to limber 
up and retire, which we did in good order, with all the 
pieces except one, the horses of which having been previ- 
ously killed, I was obliged to leave. We had proceeded but 
a short distance, when the fire of the enemy became so in- 



320 HISTORY OF THE 

tense, that the horses on three of the pieces were killed, 
thereby preventing their removal from the field. 

Our loss was four pieces, twenty-two horses and har- 
nesses. 

Corp'l A. F. Milliken shot through the head. 
Private Chas. D. Barnard shot through the breast. 
" E. F. Gustine shot in the breast. 
" Wm. H. Ray wounded in the breast. 
" John Agen wounded in the side. 
" L. D. Brownell wounded in ankle. 
" Richard Heyes missing, prisoner. 
" E. F. Smith missing, prisoner. 
After having retired from the field, crossed the Chicka- 
hominy River and encamped near General McClellan's Head 
Quarters for the night. Amount of ammunition expended 
was one hundred shell and twenty-five canister. 

NOTES OF LT. HYDE MAY 22, 1900. 

"We were retreating towards the James River. We — our 
Battery — were the last to cross the bridge below Dr. 
Gaines's house on the way to cross the Chickahominy. This 
bridge was built of logs and planks and was about twenty 
feet wide and about thirty feet long. After we had passed 
over that bridge our guns were placed 'in Battery,' facing 
towards the enemy who were coming that way in pursuit of 
our army, to hold them in check if necessary. After all the 
troops had passed over, the colonel of the infantry regiment 
was ordered to destroy the bridge. 

During the work of destruction I discerned coming down 
the hill at great speed several mounted men, whom by my 
glass I made out to be members of the Signal Corps. I at 
once told the Colonel in charge to have the planks of the 
bridge replaced as members of the Signal Corps were com- 
ing down the hill like lightning. He at first doubted it and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 321 

said they were rebels. I insisted, handing him my glasses, 
and having looked he said sure enough it was the Signal 
Corps, and orde^'ed the planks to be ])ut down over which 
they passed and went to the rear. I afterwards received a 
complimentary letter from Lieut. Tompkins wdio was one 
of the number. 

After this bridge had been removed we proceeded to the 
next bridge which was wider and much longer, reaching 
from the bottom of a ravine to the top of a cliff or plateau, 
and after our Battery had passed over it this bridge w^as 
destroyed by being blown up. We were the last to go over. 
This took place in the afternoon. 

It was the last stand taken, and it was there we lost our 
guns. 

General Butterfield's order w^as to place tw^o of my guns 
in the edge of the woods, and fire in the direction of the 
enemy. 

Our position was on the plateau about 200 feet from the 
edge of the woods where our guns again faced the enemy — - 
the forces of Stonewall Jackson wdio were directly in our 
front across the ravine — without support, which it was im- 
possible to obtain, all the infantry being engaged as I was 
informed by General Butterfield wdien I asked for it. All 
the batteries were formed in a semi-circle the Fifth Mass. 
Battery being on the extreme left. Directly in front of the 
batteries was the ravine 20 feet in depth. The firing all the 
afternoon and until dark was terrific, and the engagement is 
said by General Butterfield to have been one of the severest 
battles of the war. 

Toward the latter part of the afternoon in a cross fire 
from the opposite bank of the Chickahominy where the 
rebels had placed their guns, with the swamp in between us. 
one of the shells passing under my horse — not 'Black Char- 
ley,' (me of 'Uncle Sam's' horses,— and tearing up the 
ground for quite a distance, exploded without injury to 
anv one, but the shock made my hair stand on end." 



322 HISTORY OF THE 

GRIFFIN TO HYDE. 

Harrison^s Landing, Va. 
July 17, 1862. 
Lt. J. B. Hyde. 
Dear Sir, 

It gives me great pleasure to testify to your good conduct 
whilst under my command; always showing a desire to exe- 
cute all orders with alacrity, and in a cheerful manner. 
Very Respectfully, 

Chas. Griffin, 



Brig.-Gen'L 



HOYT TO HYDE. 



Hd. Qrs. 3D. Brigade. 
Morell's Division 
5TH Prov. Corps. 
Harrison's Landing, Va. 
July 17, 1862. 
Lt. J. B. Hyde, 

5th Mass. Batt. 
Lieutenant. 

In the absence of General Butterfield it affords me great 
pleasure, — having witnessed your conduct at the Battle of 
Chickahominy, — to give my testimony to the soldier like, 
brave, and efficient manner in which throughout the day 
you managed your battery. The effect of the fire of half of 
it on three occasions on that day, proved of the greatest as- 
sistance to our Brigade, and when later in the day all seemed 
lost, you willingly reported for duty with your last pieces, 
you gave evidence by the act, that you had done all any one 
could for the preservation of those lost. 

Please accept my best wishes for your success, 
and Believe me sincerely &c. 

Wm. J. HOYT, 

Asst. Adj't Gcn'L 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 323 



FROM PHILLIPS' LETTERS. 

"Before daylight on Friday June 27, 1862, we were round 
and prepared to move. 

Then to our surprise we commenced a retrograde move- 
ment : backward went the whole Division, and as we came 
into the road we found our heavy siege guns moving along 
with us. 

Then the fact that w^e were retreating became apparent to 
us, and all the time we could hear the enemy thundering on 
our rear. 

At 6 o'clock we passed the Gaines house, and, crossing a 
little brook, came into battery on the hill beyond. Here we 
were ordered to wait till all our troops had crossed, and the 
bridge cut away. So w^e waited for two or three hours. 
Finally, the last of our column passed, and the ruins of the 
bridge soon fell into the stream, and no enemy had appeared. 

I had one of my pieces aimed at Dr. Gaines's house, all 
ready to knock it do\\iai at the slightest demonstration. As 
soon as the bridge was dowii we limbered up and retired 
across the field, over a bridge in the middle of a piece of 
woods traversed by a deep ravine and brook, and into the 
field beyond, where we came into battery for the second time. 

Three hundred yards in front of us stretched the woods 
that were to witness a terrible conflict. Right behind us the 
ground sloped down into the level meadows that border the 
Chickahominy. 

Butterfield's Brigade and our Battery were on the extreme 
Left, the enemy being prevented from flanking us on that 
side by the fire of Smith's heavy guns across the Chicka- 
hominy. 

Then came \\'eeden's Battery, then IMartin's. There we 
stood, waiting an attack. 

About noon the enemy attacked our right, but only to be 
driven back. 



324 HISTORY OF THE 

Again he attacked and this time our Left, and the bullets 
whistled round our heads pretty lively, but the result was 
the same. A third time he tried to get through the woods, 
and a third time our troops drove him back; but their ranks 
were thinned as they came out of the woods, and it was evi- 
dent that unless reinforcements arrived our wearied men 
could not stand another attack from tlie fresh troops the 
rebels were constantly receiving. 

But on they came for the fourth time, and with a more 
determined charge than before. 

Lieut. Hyde sent my section down into the edge of the 
woods . . . and I blazed away. 

But this time the thundering volleys of musketry told us 
that the hottest work of the day was before us. 

All along the line it was one continuous roar, while mixed 
with it came the heavy reports of ariillery, as Weeden and 
Martin thundered away on our Right. But it was of no 
use: advancing at trail arms in one unbroken mass, tliey 
rushed throagh the woods over the brook, now nlled with 
dead bodies, closing their ranks as fast as our lire mowed 
them down. 

The woods were full of smoke, and the bullets buzzed 
round our heads like a swarm of angry bumble bees : still our 
artillery thundered away. 

My horse had a bullet in his flank and one sergeant's horse 
lay dead on the ground. As yet no men were hit, but louder 
and louder roared the musketry, and thicker and thicker 
buzzed the bullets, and suddenly, out poured our infantry in 
disorder, frightened antl reckless, — they made an attempt 
to rally, rushing out right in front of the muzzles of our 
guns, which were not ten feet from the trees, but broke and 
retreated. 

Still, as long as there was any hope I blazed away till all 
our men had retreated beyond me. Then I limbered up and 
carried my section into the field alongside of our other pieces. 

As far as I could see the hill was covered with our men. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 325 

running" in groups of two or three or alone, each one looking 
out for himself, while 200 yards in front stretched the Ions 
line of rebel infantry, which had formed between us and the 
woods, their red flags flying, and their muskets sending the 
bullets flying round our heads after all the infantry had left. 

I unlimbered and fired one round of canister at a regiment 
with a red flag within less than three hundred yards. We 
could see the gaps made at each discharge instantly filled up 
by fresh troops, and still on they came. 

Reluctantly, we limbered up and commenced our retreat. 
I got both my pieces off the field down to the bottom of the 
hill (and all the caissons got ofif safely,) and none too soon, 
for at the right piece, more exposed than the others, down 
went all the horses (four) and Corporal Albert F. Milliken 
fell, shot through the head, then Private Edward F. Gustine, 
at Peacock's piece, shot in the neck and breast. Private 
Charles D. Barnard shot in the side, then Wm. H. Ray fell 
at Smith's piece with a bullet through his shoulder, but man- 
aged to get off the field. 

So down the hill we went at full gallop, but before we 
reached the bottom Peacock's and Simonds's pieces were left, 
with the horses dead in the traces. George F. Manchester 
one of the drivers on Sergt. Peacock's piece had his off horse 
shot but cut his nigh one loose and escaped. When he got 
to the bottom of the hill he took up a wounded officer in 
front of him, but in passing under the fire of our Reserve 
Artillery, one of their shells blew the officer's head off, and 
]\Ianchester said he felt frightened for the first time. So far 
both of my guns were safe, but at the bottom of the hill, a 
fence stopped us a little, and while passing through the gap 
we experienced the hottest fire of all. 

The rebels by this time lined the top of the hill, and poured 
a murderous fire into our retreating soldiers. As Blake's 
piece went through the gap, down went one horse with a 
bullet in his jaw, throwing his rider, but the other horses 
] ulled him through and saved the gun. As Page's piece 



326 HISTORY OF THE 

passed through down went four horses at one volley, and I 
told the men to leave the piece. The rebels were following 
at double quick, and there was nobody to support us. 

I had hardly gone a hundred yards when with the next 
volley my horse fell, shot through the leg, and as I tumbled 
off I saw the rebel flag planted on my gun ! 

I was compelled reluctantly to abandon my saddle and 
bridle, blankets, pocket testament, brushes &c. to the rebels, 
and taking my overcoat, revolver and brandy flask, trav- 
elled along on foot. 

By this time all was confusion, the road was full of fugi- 
tives, the officers in vain trying to rally their men, and the 
thunder of artillery and musketry incessant. 

The bullets buzzed around our heads thicker than ever, 
but I trudged on with a sullen desperation. 

Our Reserve Artillery was blazing away over our heads, 
the shells coming in dangerous proximity to our caps, keep- 
ing the rebels back somewhat, and soon our reinforcements, 
the Irish Brigade, came up, too late, alas, for us. 

Still we pressed on until we had crossed the Chicka- 
hominy, and reposed once more in safety. 

Blake's piece got off. Corporal Spear's got stuck in a 
ditch, but they hauled it through. Simonds's piece was lost : 
Sergt. Smith got a bullet through his cap, taking off some of 
his hair, and raising a little swelling on the top of his head : 
John Agen had his jacket torn and his side bruised by a piece 
of shell, while spent bullets struck around very thick. 
Strange as it may seem, although my horse was struck three 
times; once in the edge of the woods, once in the leg as we 
were retreating, and a third time as he fell, throwing me off, 
I cannot find any bullet marks on me or my clothes. 

I have seen enough of retreats, and my only consolation 
is that no efforts of mine could have altered the result. We 
did not leave the field till the whole of Butterfield's Brigade 
had broken; and after our horses were shot we could not 
save our pieces. Had the infantrv rallied I would have 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 327 

stayed as long as any of them, but, as it was, 15 seconds' 
delay would have lost everything, guns, men and horses. 

We were the last battery on the field. 

Our men fought well against superior numbers, and did 
not retreat till they had lost half their men, used up their 
ammunition, and were wearied out, and when the rebels 
came on the last time it was useless to fire at them. We 
could not kill them as fast as they came up. Had we had a 
battery of 12 pdrs. a regiment of dead men would have cov- 
ered the field before they could have got our guns, l)ut our 
little pieces do not throw canister much larger than a mus- 
tard box, and were never meant for that kind of work. As 
it was, however, we could see the gaps made in their ranks, 
as we threw in double charges of canister, but they filled 
them up as fast as they were made. 

No description can convey an accurate idea of the peculiar 
sound the bullets make as they buzz around one's head. 
You must hear it to appreciate it. It approaches nearly the 
buzzing of a swarm of bees, intermingled wnth a few sharper 
notes. First it is buz-z-z-, then te-oou, very sharp. Inter- 
mingled with these is the sharp click when a bullet strikes a 
tree. Of course there is nothing very pleasant in the sound, 
but after a man gets used to it, he can listen to it with great 
composure, and I troubled myself as little as possible about 
the 'humming birds' as the men call them. 

We kept on the retreat as fast as possible, the road being 
filled with artillery and infantry, wounded men on litters, 
and wounded men supported by their comrades. I do not 
want to see such a sight again. 

That night wx got over the Chickahominy and by mid- 
night we went into park somewhere [Trent's Farm] near 
Weeden's remaining three pieces and three caissons. Scott 
and I lay down side by side, on a pile of hay, and I slept 
sweetly till long after daylight. 

The next day, June 28th, with the remains of our Battery, 
we commenced our march, with the retiring army, towards 



328 HISTORY OF THE 

James River; other Divisions covering our retreat and fight- 
ing- all the way. 

I hear that the Irish Brigade drove the rebels back into the 
woods, spiked, buried, and otherwise disabled our guns (left 
on the field) and held the ground till everything had crossed, 
when they came over and blew up the bridge. About noon 
that day (28th) we heard an explosion, and an immense 
cloud of smoke announced the destruction of our bridges 
over the Chickahominy. A large house near us was used 
as a hospital, and the grounds all round were covered with 
wounded men. Lt. Mortimer, a fine fellow, ist Lt. of Mar- 
tin's Battery was in the house dying from a bullet wound. 
[Caleb C. E. Mortimer see p. 56 "In Sixty-One.'"] 

In the afternoon we started and marched to Savage's Sta- 
tion on towards the James River. Troops, baggage teams 
&c. crowded the roads. 

At sunset we camped in a very pleasant spot on top of a 
hill. Close by was a beautiful house and grounds but as 
usual orders came not to touch the fences. I am happy to 
state, however, that by the next morning all the rails in our 
vicinity had disappeared, carried off probably by some of the 
infantry regiments, as it would have been my duty to stop 
any of our men. Here we found our wagons again and 
slept under a tent, and washed our faces. 

The next morning (29th) we again took up our line of 
march. As yet we knew nothing of our destination. The 
country was new, and had evidently not been traversed much 
by troops. The roads were excellent and we kept right on. 

Still in our rear, though intermittently, the firing went on, 
but we cared nothing for that. At 9 in the evening we 
reached our camp, pitch dark, so I cannot describe the lo- 
cality. Our wagons had now fallen to the rear, so we 
spread our blankets and turned in. The next morning. June 
30, 1862, we started before daylight and with frequent halts 
kept on our way. About noon we crossed a large wheat 
field, and then crossed a still larger field on a high table land, 
and came in sight of the James River." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 329 

THE LAST STAND. 
From Scott's Notes. 

"The morning- of the 27lh of June (1862) opened beauti- 
fully. Brig-htly the warm sun 1)egan its course, to ^o down 
scarcely seen through the smoke and dust of the battle that 
would be raging. 

The Divisions and Brigades of General Porter's Corps 
were moving past to the last stand and line of battle down 
the river. 

All the other Corps of the Army had crossed the river to 
the south side. The 5th only remained on the north side 
for it could not cross in the face of the enemy. Back of the 
river flats the country was rolling, with more or less woods; 
the depressions between the hills were favorable for the 
enemy to form their lines out of sight. 

The Left of our line of battle was less than -^- a mile from 
the river, at the thin edge of a skirting line of woods that 
bordered a small stream running east and west to the river, 
in a depression which would be a rushing torrent after an 
hour's rain, but now nearly dry. A temporary log bridge 
crossed near this point where most of the Corps had passed. 

The line of battle following the Creek a short distance east, 
curved to the south, passing swampy ground at the centre, 
then curving west to the river where the Right of the line 
rested, thus forming a semi-circle. Behind the line of battle 
formed, was an undulating open country to the river, which 
was crossed by three narow bridges, one of them, called the 
Grape Vine bridge, being held in place by ropes made fast to 
trees up stream. The approaches to one of these bridges 
was nearly 1400 yards long. 

The Battery took up its line of march about 9 o'clock from 
near the Gaines house, moving dow^n the river, and going 
into battery covering the rear guard. 



330 HISTORY OF THE 

Once on its way all was silence, except the firing of the 
rebel skirmishers driving in our Pickets. 

Limbering up our guns we crossed the log bridge, the last 
battery to cross, and soon the bridge was taken up and de- 
stroyed. Going into battery on low ground near a peach 
orchard in rear of the line of battle, we could not see the 
movement of troops on our Right, nor the brigades on our 
Left Front, as Butterfield's and Martindale's brigades were 
beyond the wood, the extreme Left of the line on lower 
ground. Following the creek they had felled trees, and 
formed what protection they could to shield themselves from 
the enemy's fire. 

The line of battle formed extended a mile and a half or 
more, held by Fitz John Porter's Corps of 30,000 men. 
Early in the fight he called for reinforcements which were 
not promptly sent. 

The rebels proved to have had more than double that 
number. 

At this point we waited. 

Being on the Left of the Battery I hardly knew what was 
going on at the Right. The sun poured down upon us in 
force, and while here the U. S. mails were distributed, and 
many read letters from home and friends for the last time. 

Meantime the enemy were forming their lines around the 
5th Corps. They thought they had us in a trap. Spent 
bullets came dropping on the sand, raising a puff of dust, 
the patient horses pricking up their ears and shaking their 
heads. 

Still we ate our hard-bread and drank our hot water. Not 
a breath of air was stirring, and two miles away, across the 
river, the smoke and dust of the fierce battle raging could be 
seen during that afternoon, but not a gun was heard by the 
rest of the army at that distance. 

About 12 o'clock General Daniel Butterfield of the brigade 
came down the slope to my section, and wanted me to train 
one of my guns to fire over the skirtino- of woods before 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 331 

which his brigade was located. I said that the ground rose 
so rapidly that in firing it at so high an elevation we might 
find it on the ground. 

He wanted to sight the gun himself, and the gun being 
trained to suit him, he commenced its elevation. At that 
moment "the ball opened,' and he left suddenly, as the rebels 
were charging his brigade. The rebel batteries opened on 
the Right, throwing a raking fire through the woods, in 
front of which his brigade was located with the infantry 
which had commenced firing. We could hear the quick 
popping of a rapid firing gun. We had seen this gun before. 
It was fixed on a tripod, and by turning a crank it spit out 
bullets, and was supposed to annihilate anything in its front. 
The rebels captured it before the fight was over. 

An order came to Lt. Hyde to send up one gun. Why the 
whole battery was not sent up I never knew. The Lieuten- 
ant ordered me up with the left gun of my section. Away 
we went and took our position at the edge of the wood. We 
could not see the brigade below us, but could see the rebels 
through the woods and brush, moving for a charge. We 
opened fire and plied them well with our one gun. 

No artillery was to the left of us nor could we see the 
army to our right : the peach orchard seemed to cover us. 
The noise from the rebel batteries raking the woods, to- 
gether with the fire of musketry, was terrific. 

A second charge by the rebels on Butterfield's and Mar- 
tindale's brigades, was repelled, then came a lull in front, 
the firing had swept to the Right of the line of battle. 

I was ordered back to the rest of the Battery dowm the 
slope. We had taken our place with the Battery but a short 
time, when Longstreet, who had reformed his lines with 
fresh troops came on again. 

Four guns were ordered up. We limbered up the Lett 
Section, and away we went to the woods, followed by the 
Centre Section, Lt. Phillips, who took position on our right. 
These four guns were not idle. It would be hard to explain 



332 HISTORY OF THE 

one's feelings at such a moment, but we felt that as long as 
we were not hit we were not hurt, and every one worked tp 
do his best now we had the chance. 

Through the woods we could see only parts of the rebel 
lines. If we did not cut some of them down we did the 
small trees in our front, as they fell as if cut with a scythe. 

Charge after charge was repelled by the brigade in front 
of us, but human endurance could not withstand the more 
than double force pitted against us. Our brigades were 
exhausted, ammunition gone, and all the Reserves had been 
thrown into the fight. 

The left of Martindale's Brigade had been turned and the 
rebels were flanking us. 

We kept up our fire with the guns unaware of what had 
happened. Enveloped with smoke we could not tell what 
was going on far from us. 

At this point the infantry of our brigade came struggling 
up between our guns. 

Anxious to know how the fight was going on I said to a 
soldier : 

'What's the trouble below?' 

Trouble enough,' he said. 'The rebels are crossing the 
ditch on our right.' 

Looking to our left we saw an ofificer mounted on a stone 
heap waving a flag. He cried out : 'For God's sake, men, 
stand by your colors !' 

It was of no use, men were moving stubbornly off to the 
rear, and soon after as we moved down the slope, the bri- 
gade, what was left of them, had melted away, and I do not 
remember to have seen a Union soldier. 

We received orders to retire in haste, which we did. Lim- 
bering up our guns with Phillips leading, we moved quickly 
down the slope to where we had left the Right section of 
the Battery, unaware that the guns were in the hands of the 
enemy. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 333 

To my surprise, Lt. Phillips as he came up with the Right 
section continued on at a trot. He had taken in the situa- 
tion. As my section came on, I saw something was wrong 
with the guns, but I passed quickly by. Phillips still leading 
passed to the right of a foot hill which formed the last stand 
of the Corps at night, thus exposing our flank to the enemy, 
who were now near the bridge we had crossed in the 
morning. 

^Moving in this line, I was amazed to see the right piece of 
my section going pell mell past the left of the hill into a 
hollow below. Leaving my left piece to follow Phillips I 
turned about to look it up, passing near the guns already 
captured. Then I saw our plight. Overtaking the gun, 
which was but a short distance ahead, I saw it was fast stuck 
in a ditch. The situation looked anything but pleasant. 
In front of 4is, on the last rise of ground before reaching the 
river, was posted a line of artillery, throwing their united 
fire into the rebel lines. Their shot were flying in range of 
my head. I dismounted, choosing a lower elevation. 
Looking back to where the Right section had stood, we saw 
the guns had been turned towards us, the rebel colors flying 
over them, and their lines forming away to their Left. Not 
far from us in front of their lines was a piece of rebel artil- 
lery, which the drivers had driven over a bluff, and which 
seemed to be thrown into a confused heap. I thought 
their condition was even worse than ours. Why we were 
not molested while in the ditch I do not know, but suppose 
with their success so far, they felt sure of our capture. They 
could easily have shot the l:(orses, but so sure were they that 
we were fast, doubtless they preferred live horses to dead 
ones. It was death or capture to us if we remained, but with 
a final eft'ort, the gun came out of its bed, and we lost no 
time in moving but a short distance up between the guns of 
the posted artillery, where we again went into action. [See 
p. 340 Serg't Wilson.] If any one wants to live a lifetime in 



334 HISTORY OF THE 

a few moments, he must be placed, as we were, between the 
fire of two contending armies ! 

Leaving my sergeant in charge of the gun, I rode to the 
rear in search of my left piece. Here was 'confusion worse 
confounded.' I found Phillips and Hyde with the men of 
the Battery dismayed but not discouraged. We could not 
do more than we had done. The rebels with their superior 
force and flushed with victory, had driven the forces of Por- 
ter to the river. Cavalry were stationed with drawn swords 
to prevent the panic stricken men and teams from blocking 
the bridge. 

About sunset the Irish Brigade, with other troops, crossed 
the bridge to the support of the Fifth Corps, and night com- 
ing on the Corps was saved from a complete rout. 

Never was night more welcome. I can never forget the 
scene as we viewed it that sultry afternoon. 

I learned from Lt. Phillips that after I left hmi near the 
foot of the hill, the enemy had a flank fire on him from 
the woods vacated by our brigade. His horse was shot 
from under him and the horses of two pieces shot, and the 
guns had to be abandoned. 

My left piece was lost. I gave my sergeant credit for 
saving my right piece in taking the course he did, had 
he followed me with Phillips, which was his duty to do, 
the fate of the gun and ourselves might have been far 
different. My right piece joining us, between us we had 
two guns left, and strange as it may seem we had not lost 
a man of the Centre or Left sections. The men did their 
duty manfully. 

Lt. Hyde reported that the enemy came down through 
the peach orchard on his two guns, and he only had time 
to fire one round when he was overwhelmed. Corporal 
Milliken and Edward Gustine of New Bedford, were killed 
at their posts. Five men were taken prisoner, three of them 
badly wounded, the rest escaped, taking sponge staffs with 
them. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 335 

As we waited near tlie bridge at dark for a chance to 
cross the Chickahominy, we were a sorry set. We had 
fought onr first battle, when would the next one be? Men 
had done their duty, and we did not feel that we were en- 
tirely resi)onsil)le for our loss of guns, but the artillery- 
man's defence is his guns, and their loss is deeply felt. 

Why we met with no loss in our first engagement at the 
first line of battle, was that no artillery in front was posted; 
the flanking fire we received from their batteries passed 
harmless over our heads, in fact the noise of our own was 
so heavy that we did not notice the shrieking noise they had 
caused in their flight through the woods. The brigade 
being below us the enemy's infantry fire was against them; 
the woods and the orchard protected us. If we had been 
in view as the enemy passed us beyond the orchard we 
would likely have been captured where we stood. The 
Fifth Corps lost 24 guns. One of Martin's guns was cap- 
sized, crossing the bridge, bottom up, and had to be aban- 
doned. They also lost three of their caissons, the horses 
being killed. His ist Lt. (Mortimer) was taken across the 
river wounded, and died the next day. Five thousand pris- 
oners were taken by the enemy and nearly four thousand 
were killed and wounded on our side. 

The rebel loss in killed exceeded ours. 

Demoralization seemed to possess all, but it is remark- 
able how soon men recover from such scenes. 

The Fifth Corps crossed the river during the night, the 
bridges were blown up and destroyed, and the enemy were 
left to count their spoils. 

Dr. Gaines was kind enough to say that he would will- 
ingly give his whole farm as a burial place for Yankee 
soldiers. 

On the morning of the 2<Sth, (June, 1862,) the Battery 
took up its line of march with the 5th Corps, passing Sav- 
age's Station, where the fields around were covered with 
the wounded from the previous battle, and the corps of 



336 HISTORY OF THE 

surgeons were doing their best to relieve suffering hu- 
manity. It was a gruesome sight to us, and we felt thank- 
ful we were not numbered with them. The Battery moved 
on, not knowing where we were going. It was rumored 
that McClellan was making a 'masterly retreat' to the 
James River. 

As the 5th Corps had been so roughly handled it was put 
on the advance, while the other Corps were left to bring up 
the rear with a victorious army soon in pursuit. 

Passing through White Oak Swamp, the Corps moved 
as rapidly as the roads would permit, the way being lined 
with baggage teams, droves of cattle, and artillery; the 
enemy attacking our flank whenever they could get a 
chance. We saw no enemy near us in this movement, but 
often heard cannonading at different times at various points. 

Camping one night in a large opening with the Corps, 
with teams in harness, we sought sleep on the ground. No 
lights were permitted. We eat our 'hard tack' but not 
much sleep did we get. The night was black, with heavy 
claps of thunder, and sharp flashes of lightning. The 
enemy were said to be near us. Some army mules stam- 
peded; a mule flying through the Battery among the sleep- 
ers, a small panic ensued. Every one was on his feet, and 
a few shots were heard, but soon things quieted down and 
we tried to sleep again. 

Nothing impeded our march, and the last day of June 
found the 5th Corps camped on Malvern Hill near the 
James River." 

NOTES OF LIEUT. SCOTT. 
Feb. 22, 1901. 

"I had charge of the Left section that day, as Lieut. 
Dillingham was sick across the river. Lieut. Hyde's Right 
section was captured where it was placed in Battery. 

I fired the first Gun of the Battery at Gaines jMills. On 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 337 

the morning of the 27th I was ordered up to the woods with 
one Gun, and it was served the best we knew until ordered 
back to the Battery, by whom I do not know. I had no 
more than taken my place in the Battery, than Phillips and 
myself were ordered up with the two sections of the Battery. 
As I had been up on the line before, Phillips followed me, 
and went into position on my right. While here the rebels 
captured Hyde's two Guns, and when we were ordered to 
the rear Lieut. Phillips led, and I followed. As we came 
to Hyde's Guns, the rebels had them. Phillips passed 
quickly by and my right piece being in the rear left Phillips' 
line and passed to the left and was stuck in the mud. Here 
is where I went back to see what had become of it. As I 
took in the situation, with the enemy's line of battle so near, 
I then thought the lives of the men were of more impor- 
tance than the Gun. As I could not see how we could re- 
main there 5 minutes, I told Serg't. Spear to take the horses 
and abandon the Gun, and left to look after my left piece, 
which I never saw. It was a miracle or Interposition of 
Providence that any of us escaped." 

LETTER OF CORPORAL SPEAR. 
"Harrison's Landing, James River, 

16 MILES BELOW RICHMOND, Va. 

Friday, July 4, 1862. 

One week ago today the Right wing of Gen'l }^IcClellan's 
Army before Richmond gave way at Mechanicsville before 
the Confederate Army, and came retreating down across 
Gaines Farm to the Chickahominy River. 

Our Battery was ordered to the top of a high hill above 
a bridge to assist in covering the retreat of our Army. 
This hill was on the left of the Gaines house, near the river. 
The last to cross the bridge were two batteries of flying 
artillery, and after they had crossed, the bridge was torn 



338 HISTORY OF THE 

up, and we were ordered to 'Limber to the Rear' and retire. 
After retreating half a mile, we found our Division viz. 
Porter's, drawn up in line of battle in a dense wood, with a 
nice barricade in front of it, and everything in readiness to 
meet the Confederates' advance. 

After passing through the woods, the order came 'Into 
Battery' and hold ourselves in readiness. We remained 
'In Battery,' without firing a gun, until about 3 o'clock, when 
the rebels formed in line of battle and down they came upon 
us, both on our right and left. The second time they ad- 
vanced the Left section was ordered into the woods, and 
we were soon in sight of the rebel line, and in a short time 
were throwing shot and shell amongst them. 

Again the rebels were repulsed, for the second time, and 
we limbered up and went 'Into Battery' in our former posi- 
tion, but were not allowed to remain silent long, for in less 
than fifteen minutes they came down upon us with a double, 
aye, thrible force. Then the Centre section was ordered 
to move down into the woods; also, the left piece of the 
Left section, and all three pieces commenced firing shot and 
shell. The fight was general the length of our lines, and 
such a ring of artillery and musketry ! Shall I ever forget 
it? 

No : but it was no use, our troops gave way, and down 
came the Confederates upon our batteries. The 5th Mass. 
Battery was on the extreme left, and when our infantry line 
gave way in front of the three remaining pieces, we fired 2 
rounds of double canister and were ordered to 'Limber to 
the Rear,' and save the Gun and ourselves if a possible 
thing, for the rebels were now only a few rods from us. 

As the men of my Detachment were limbering up the 
gun, I could see the rebels advancing upon us with their 
little red flags to the front, and it was then that I put spurs 
to my horse and ordered the drivers on the Gun to do like- 
wise and follow me. I took a quick glance over to my right 
where our artillery and infantry were fleeing, and I saw that 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 339 

the road was completely choked up, and that if I wished to 
save the piece and the men's lives I must go in some other 
direction. So I started across the field, but had not gone 
more than 3 rods, before we landed in a deep ditch, and then 
the Lieutenant came up and ordered us to leave our piece 
and cut traces, as it was impossible, he said, to attempt to 
try and pull the piece out from the ditch. But instead of 
cutting the traces we started the horses up, and they becom- 
ing so terrified and frightened, as quick as lightning pulled 
the piece out, and were soon directly in front of our artil- 
lery, which had re-formed, and were l)lazing away at the 
rebels as they came down upon our retreating Division. 

On reaching the hill where the line of artillery was 
formed, under command of Gen'l Charles Griffin, we were 
ordered to open upon the Rebs., and after firing ten or 
twelve rounds the order came for us to 'Limber up' and 
retreat; this being the second time within fifteen minutes, 
or perhaps less. And such a retreat ! Everything was 
confusion, no regularity. Men. artillery, infantry and cav- 
alry, all mixed up! 

After retreating about half a mile they formed in line of 
battle, and we came 'Into Battery' again, and fired a few 
rounds. Then reinforcements came up and completely 
routed the rebels, and drove them back from the ground 
which they had gained within the short space of one hour. 

That night we crossed the Chickahominy River and en- 
camped, and the next morning I found the remnant of the 
Battery, and when we came to sum up what was left, ascer- 
tained that all our pieces were lost except Serg't. Blake's 
and mine; that 4 men were killed, 4 or 5 wounded, and 
about 30 horses killed and disabled. 

There were two Ouincy Boys in the fight, besides myself, 
— \y. H. H. Lapham and H. E. Shaw. They both came 
out all right. Lapham was acting cannoneer, and Shaw 
was driving the pole horses on the piece which were shot 
from under him." 



340 HISTORY OF THE 

NOTES OF LIEUT. SPEAR 
July 24, 1901. 

"The preatest credit for the savinp- of the Gun of which 
I was acting Sergeant, should be given Corporal Warren, 
Charles Jay leading Driver, the Swing Driver, I forget his 
name, and Brownell the Pole Driver, all of whom thought 
only of their favorite gun and its safety. 

When we commenced to retire with our Gun the Confed- 
erates were at the Right piece of the Battery, — Corporal 
Milliken's Gun, — and had planted one of their battle flags 
on it, and as we left our position we were obliged to pass 
parallel with the guns left, and for a short time were not 
five hundred feet from the rebel skirmishers advancing." 

NOTES BY SERGT. E. T. WILSON. 

\Y\\\\ relation to the gun which was pulled out of the 
ditch, Sergt. Edward T. Wilson, who was No. 6 on the 
Gun that day, says in a note dated New Bedford, Mass., 
September 8, 1900: — 

"It was the right piece of the Left section. Billy W^ar- 
ren, a Boston boy, was the gunner. The drivers, all but 
the one on the swing horses, remained by them. L. D. 
Brownell was on the pole. Charles Jay had the lead horses, 
and u]ion him a great deal depended. His horses got a foot- 
ing on the other side of the ditch, and although the swing 
and pole horses were pretty well mixed up in the ditch, we 
managed to pull the old gun out. It was during this mix- 
up that Lieut. Scott ordered us to leave the gun. In 
scrambling across, Brownell fractured a bone in his right 
leg, one of his horses was hit by a Minie ball, which mad- 
dened the animal and at one time it looked as thourfi we 

o 

would have to quit. But Brownell pluckily stuck to his 
horses, and, reaching firm footing, we made for a batterv 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 341 

that was located on a hill just ahead of us. It proved to 
be the Fourth Rhode Island, and reaching the hill we placed 
the gun in position and again began firing at the enemy. 

This was one of the two guns which were saved, and 
nearly every man who was in that detachment was from 
New Bedford. \\'illiam W^arren was not a New Bedford 
man, and one other I do not remember about, whether he 
was from New Bedford or not, or what his name was. 

At Savage's Station Brownell was sent on a hospital train 
for surgical aid, and w^ith others was captured and placed 
in Libby Prison." 

NOTES OF FRANCIS P. WASHBURN. 

Francis P. Washburn, a driver on No. 6 gun, Sergt. Har- 
rison O. Simonds, the left piece of the Left section, every 
horse attached to which was killed, obliging the men to seek 
a place of safety with all possible speed, recalls in Notes 
written in New Bedford Mass. October 9, 1900, a remark 
of General Fitz John Porter in relation to the loss of the 
guns of the Fifth IMass. Battery. 

\\^ashburn was sick but on duty all through the Seven 
Days' Battles. A man was not sick in those days as long 
as he could sit in a saddle or stand on his feet. During the 
inspection that followed at Harrison's Landing he was sit- 
ting with the sick and wounded under a tarpaulin put up 
for shelter, and when General Porter came to them, he as 
well as the other officers dismounted before a group of of- 
ficers and men, — "General Porter," writes Washburn, "was 
a man among men," — and, among other things, the General 
said — 'Tf I could have sold all my guns at the price paid 
for those four, I would have been in Richmond tonight." 

A day or two later, \\^ashburn was sent to the General 
Hospital at Harrison's Landing, and was subsequently put 
on board the hospital ship "S. R. Spaulding," and taken to 



342 HISTORY OF THE 

the Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia. Afterwards he re- 
turned to the Battery. 

LETTER FROM SERG'T. PELEG W. BLAKE. 
''James River July 4, 1862. 

17 MILES BELOW RICHMOND. 

I wrote three letters on the 26th, but could not send 
them, for we were ordered to Old Church. Our forces let 
the rebels cross the river 12,000 strong at Mechanicsville, 
and our troops fell back to Dr. Gaines's plantation, where 
we were encamped — our Right wing. Two-thirds of our 
army were across the Chickahominy. Porter's Division 
and McCall's 30,000 engaged 70,000 under the rebel gen- 
eral Jackson. The rebel general Jackson is said to have 
been shot. 

I have been in my saddle for eight days and nights, only 
getting about two hours sleep at midnight. The battle 
commenced the 26th when we were ordered out. It was a 
strategic movement to fall back and join the main army 
across the river. 

Our Battery guarded the bridge at Dr. Gaines's till the 
last thing crossed the stream, and that was the mounted 
artillery. The bridge was then destroyed and we limbered 
up, and crossed another stream, and then we had to hold 
our position; this being the 27th day of June. At 3 o'clock 
they attacked General Porter's Division, and General Mc- 
Call's Division, 30,000 troops. 

Three times we drove the rebels. 

Every time the rebels came up they had fresh troops, 
every time filled with whiskey and gunpowder, drunken 
devils, but we mowed them down by the thousands. The 
fourth time they came up the whole force of the rebels, 
70,000 strong against 30,000 of ours, was a hard struggle. 

They turned our Left flank where our Battery was, and 



i 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 343 

onr troops had to fall back, but we stayed a few minutes too 
late and lost four pieces, that were close to the woods, of 
our Battery, within lOO feet of the rebels. Our horses were 
shot down so we had to leave four of our pieces. 

I came into Battery and fired three shots after the other 
pieces left, but my horses did not happen to be shot, and I 
was the only sergeant of our Battery who saved his piece 
that afternoon, but 2 o'clock at night Serg't. (Charles H.) 
Morgridge's piece in charge of Corporal Spear came up, so 
we had two pieces, out of six, left. 

I lost two men of my Detachment, Edward F. Smith and 
Richard Heyes, Englishmen, who worked in the Wam- 
sutta mills [in New Bedford] 'dresser tenders.' 

[The follcnving marked "Continued, 3d page" though 
found detached among Lieut. Blake's papers is presumed to 
be a continuation of the foregoing: — ] 

As Icame down the hill the rebels had planted their flag 
on the hill and were firing down upon us. The whole six 
pieces started : one went one way and one another, and so 
did the whole six. I happened to see the right way, but 
four of them were run up to a deep ditch, and drove into 
the ditch, and only one escaped. 

Serg't. Page who followed me had his horses shot and 
lost his piece. 

As I came down the hill one of my swing horses stumbled, 
throwing my swing driver 20 end over end down the hill, 
but I could not stop for him to mount, so I left him, and 
kept right along on the dead run, driving, dragging his nigh 
horse up on to his feet, I got tow^ards the bottom of the hill. 

General Butterfield says, 'For God's sake come into Bat- 
tery and fire on that rebel flag!' 

I says to the General, 'My men have all left me but the 
Gunner.' — 

That was Corporal E. B. Nye, the fruit dealer who used 
to be on Second street (New Bedford), he is my Gunner 



U4: HISTORY OF THE 

and he makes the best shot of any of the gunners in the 
Battery. 

When reinforcements came from across the river our 
forces drove them the fifth time way past our camping 
ground. The stream or ditch ten feet deep in front of the 
woods where we were, — about a hundred feet through these 
woods, — was filled with rebels who were killed, so that they 
did not have to build any bridge to come across on, but we 
fell back and crossed the Chickahominy towards the James 
and joined the main army on the Left. The next day we 
started for the James." 

NOTES OF LOUIS E. PATTISON. 
Nov. 2, 1 90 1. 

"The Left section got across the run first, and the Centre 
and Right sections had to wait to cross, and the horses were 
shot in their tracks by the rebel infantry. The saving of 
the guns was simply accident, as every gun was limbered, 
but could not get over the run, — a dry water course 8 or 10 
ft. deep and when they crossed filled up with rails. 

Blake was all right, a brave and cautious man." 

FROM CHASE'S DL\RY. 

"June 2y, 1862. Packed up all our equipage and pre- 
pared to leave about 2.30 a. m. Were soon ready and left 
our bivouac and proceeded to the brow of the hill just in 
the rear of the camp we left yesterday to cover the retreat 
of our forces. Placed our guns Tn Battery' and remained 
there till all the artillery had crossed the millstream and de- 
stroyed the bridge. Cannonading and musketry com- 
menced again this morning at daylight. The enemy's fir- 
ing sounds nearer and nearer and their battery of 32 pdrs. 
throws several shots at us but made wild shots. 

After the bridge was destroyed we limbered up and went 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 345 

about half a mile farther to the rear and placed our guns 
'In Battery' on the brow of a hill, and changed our position 
several times on the same ground. 

The enemy gradually advanced and drove in our skir- 
mishers and charged on our front at least three times and 
were reprised. 

The infantry felled the trees in front of us to prevent the 
advance of the enemy's artillery and cavalry. Our infantry 
met and repulsed the enemy in the woods in front of us. 

Our batteries and guns from the forts of General Smith's 
Division shelled the enemy vigorously, and the enemy's shot 
and shell struck all around us; musket balls whizzing like 
bees o\er and round us, and a spent ball hit the writer's 
elbo\\- — and brought home. — The Left section advanced 
and tired canister into the enemy when they made their sec- 
ond charge on our front. 

About 6 p. m. the enemy again rallied, and attacked us 
on the front and left and an awful battle ensued. Ihe hi- 
fantry checked them for a while, and m the mean tniie the 
Lett and Centre sections took a new position at the edge of 
the wood behind the infantry, and commenced firing shrap- 
nel 1 at the enemy with one second fuze, and at last the m- 
fantry in front of us began to yield to the enemy's murder- 
ous fire, and a general and most disorderly retreat com- 
menced. We poured the shrapnell into the enemy until 
they were almost upon us, then limbered up and drove off. 

The enemy closely followed up our retreating army, and 
kept up a most destructive fire, which made great havoc 
with our forces. Horses and guns were left, and the whole 
army was panic stricken. 

Many of our horses were shot and four guns left on the 
field. The whole of the retreating army crossed the Chick- 
ahominy, and the fragments of the dift'erent regiments and 
batteries bivouacked near General McClellan's headquar- 
ters on the south side of the river. . . . All the caissons 



346 HISTORY OF THE 

were sent across the Chickahominy early in the afteniooHy 
and were all saved. 

June 28, 1862. Another false alarm in camp tonight 
caused by some loose horses running about camp. Bugles 
were blown and the infantry ordered in line to repulse the 
supposed guerillas. It proved only a 'scare' and soon all 
was again quiet. 

A false alarm in camp this morning occasioned by the 
infantry firing their guns previous to cleaning them. Left 
camp about 12.30 p. m. with the remains of our Battery, 
and marched about eight miles towards the James River." 

NOTES OF PRIVATE LOUIS E. PATTISON. 
Oct. I, 1901. 

"At the battle of Gaines Mills the Battery was placed in 
position on a knoll, with General Daniel Butterfield's Penn. 
Reserves in the woods directly in front. To get to this 
position a bridge was made over a run, or dry water course, 
with a rail fence, only wide enough for one team to cross 
at a time, which as we were to fall back behind another line 
of battle on a hill in otir rear, showed gross negligence 
either of our own officers or some one higher in command. 

When the time came our Battery commenced firing, and 
very soon the Reserves commenced falling back through 
our guns, saying that we were shelling them, and they were 
followed up by the enemy, and as the enemy came out of 
the woods we gave them three or four rounds of canister, 
and then came orders — 'Limber to the rear,' and all the 
guns were limbered and getting out of position as fast as 
possible, but the enemy followed up so quickly that only two 
guns got over the run and were saved, the other four being 
captured, some, if not all, being spiked. 

The right detachment under Sergt. Wm. B. Pattison had 
a hard time, nearly all the men being killed, wounded or 
captured. Lieut. Phillips had command of our section, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 347 

Mason W. Page was serg't. of our detachment, William 
H. Baxter gunner, and George O. Proctor, Louis E. Patti- 
son and Amos Blanchard drivers on gun in the order named. 
The outcome of the loss of their guns was the resignations 
of Lieuts. Hyde and Dillingham, leaving only Lieuts. Phil- 
lips and Scott." 

NOTES OF D. HENRY GROWS. 

"Friday, June zy, 1862. Went on post at 2 this morn- 
ing. At 3, an order came to pack up and fall back to a hill 
in the rear of our old camp. Arrived there at about half 
past 4, and went into battery, with ordei^s that as soon as 
our flying artillery passed the bridge to tear it up and open 
on the rebels with shrapnell and canister. After waiting 
two hours the artillery passed. We then tore up the bridge 
and waited for the rebels, but they did not make their ap- 
pearance. So we limbered up and fell back about i-| miles, 
and went into battery. In about an hour the 'Secesh' 
opened on the Right, but were repulsed, in this way : they 
tried the Centre and Left, but could not break them. About 
5 this afternoon they received fresh troops, and threw them 
on to the Left where we were stationed. For three times 
they tried us, and were driven back, but at the fourth time 
they turned our Left, and we opened upon them with can- 
ister, our troops falling back all the while. The last round 
we fired was at 35 yards, a double charge of canister. It 
mowed their ranks awfully. The order came to limber up 
and fall back. We did so, but they were close upon us. 
We lost four of our pieces and twenty-five horses. Three 
of our men were shot dead : Charles Barnard, Corporal Alil- 
liken, and E. F. Gustine. Seven others are either killed 
or taken prisoners. The bullets flew like hail. I kept up 
with the gun till I was knocked down by a rail into a deep 
ditch. I was helped out, and kept on my way looking for 
the caissons that were in the rear. I soon found them and 



348 HISTORY OF THE 

sat down to rest. Saw James Tuttle : he was safe. Harry 
Simonds lost his piece, and was struck with a piece of shell. 

About 8 o'clock we crossed the Chickahominy, and laid 
ourselves down to sleep. 

T received a letter from my wife today during the battle! 

Saturday, June 28, 1862. Got up feeling very sore, had 
some water to drink. I was awfully dry. My face and 
hands are black with powder and sweat, and I have no 
chance to wash. 

About 8 this morning we fell back about a mile, and 
there found two of our guns; the other four having been 
taken by the rebels. Most all the men are tired out. The 
buildings near by are used for hospitals, and are filled with 
the wounded. It is an awful sight. About noon we 
hitched up and fell back. At Savage's Station there were 
a great many cars loaded with the wounded who are being 
moved away. The roads are lined with sick and stragglers. 
Got into camp about 1 1 o'clock. \\'as routed out at 3 
o'clock in the morning." 

Reviewing this Diary in Charlestown, Mass., October i, 
1900, Grows added the following: — 

"There is one thing I did not mention : It was how the 
gun I worked on at Gaines ]\Iills was saved. A bullet 
struck the right wheel horse, while the gun was stuck in a 
rut, the pain caused the horse to jump to the right, and the 
driver struck the off horse, and the wheels of the limber 
were free. And so we got out of a bad place." 

NOTES OF CHARLES D. BARNARD. 

February i, 1901. 

"I was wounded at Gaines ]\Iills, June 27, 1862. While try- 
ing to save the gun we held, we got into the woods. The Con- 
federates had charged 3 times on us before they got the gun. 
When Corporal (Albert F.) Milliken sent up the last charge 
to the gun. he sent word to the gunner Corporal (Charles) 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 349 

Macomber, that that was all the canister he had. Corporal 
Macomber told us that when we had fired he should give the 
order 'by hand to the rear,' as we only had one horse stand- 
ing-, he being the nigh pole horse, the other 5 horses were 
down, having been shot. 

As soon as we had fired, the order was given : — 

'By hand to the rear !' 

We each sprang to our posts. 

No. I, between the Wheel and Gun. 

No. 2, opposite, between the AAHieel and Gun. 

No. 3, grabbed the Wheel. 

No. 4, the opposite Wheel. 

The rest of the gunners ran to the trail. 

No. 2, \\'illiam H. Ray had a ball pass through him. 

No. 3, was myself. The ball entered the right thigh 
coming out ^ inch from the spine. The force of the ball 
threw me over the trail into No. 4 man's place. I got up 
standing on one leg, and said to Corporal Macomber : — 

'They have shot my right leg off, Charley!' 

At that William Ray came running up with a sponge 
staff, and Corporal Macomber said : — 

'Billy, you are wounded.' 

Billy said no, but upon unbuttoning his jacket the blood 
began to show, and Billy says: — 

'The}- can't have this sponge staff to use on us.' 

This was the only sponge staff we had left. So he took 
it, and when he came to the ditch in going to the rear, he 
made 3 pieces of it and threw it into the ditch. 

Then Corporal Macomber came to me, and I threw one 
arm over his neck and he tried to take me to the rear, and 
as we were trying to go to the rear he said to me : — 

'Help yourself all y(^u can, Charley, for there lays poor 
Corporal Milliken.' 

We both looked down on him. The ball had struck him 
in the head, killing him instantly. There was no mark of 



350 HISTORY OF THE 

blood on him. Corporal Macomber and myself were the 
2 last men of our Battery that ever saw Corporal Milliken. 

We had not gone 50 feet from him when a ball struck 
me in my left foot and stopped under my knee, the force 
of the ball throwing me out of Corporal Macomber' s arms 
to the ground. He bent over me and said : — 'Charley, I am 
going to throw you over my shoulder.' 

I said, 'No, Charley, there is only one of us to be killed, 
and I am that man. You run around the foot of the hill, 
under the protection of our heavy guns that are on the hill.' 

'No,' he says, 'I am going to shoulder you.' — 

I fainted away from the loss of blood, and he got to the 
Battery and reported me killed. 

WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES. 

The first sound I heard was, — 

'Don't tread on that man!' 

I looked over my shoulder, and saw coming towards me 
a solid line of Confederates, and as they came up to me 
they opened enough to pass me. Not a man touched me. In 
a short time the stragglers began to come back. I was 
choking, and as they came near me I begged for water. 
Some of them said they had no water ; others took no notice 
of me; others cursed me. At last when I did not care what 
they did to me, a very tall Confederate came along, and 
said he had no water, but would give me some whiskey and 
water. He knelt down and passed me his canteen, and said 
'Drink all you want.' A little seemed to quench my thirst. 
I told him I was a thousand times obliged to him, that was 
all I could do, but he said that was not all I could do, I could 
'the first time I had a chance do the same thinsf.' 

I shall never forget his words and have tried to do so. 
I lay where I fell the second time about 2 hours, then a Con- 
federate officer and a Private came along. The officer said 
to me — 'Come, get up!' 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 351 

I said 'I can't. I am wounded in both legs.' — He said, 
^You can't play any of your Yankee tricks on me. If you 
don't get up, I will cut you dcnvn.' 

I told him if he would give me 2 sticks I would try to 
walk, but I put one arm on each of their shoulders, as the 
Private asked me to, and they carried me through the gap 
where we had repulsed them 3 times that they had charged 
on us, into the yard where there was a large house, and as 
we entered the yard there was a number of Confederates 
making coffee. They began to make fun of me and I 
answered them back. Then it was the Private who was 
helping me told me to take all that they might say, for I 
was a prisoner and it was better not to answer back. 

I thanked him and afterwards found out that he was 
right. 1 hey laid me under a tree and a doctor came and 
put some cotton in my wound near my spine, and put a 
bandage round me. In a few minutes the bandage was up 
under my arms. He said he would come in the morning 
and take off my leg. 

THE RED BLANKET. 

I was cold, and asked a Confederate if he had a blanket 
he would lend me. He said 'yes,' if I would give it to him 
the next morning. I told him I would, so he lent me one. 
Next a man came along and wanted to know who wanted 
water. I did, and had found a canteen, and he took it, filled 
it, and brought it back to me. I then dropped off to sleep, 
and in the morning when I awoke I saw that I had a red 
blanket. I looked it over, and found the name of Serg't. 
William B. Pattison sewed on it! When the Confederate 
called for his ])kinket, I told him that it was one of my 
Serg't's blankets. He said, — 'You promised to give it to 
me this morning." 

I told him that I should do as I told him I would, and he 
took it, and I don't know as I ever saw him again. They 



352 HISTORY OF THE 

gave us that morning for breakfast boiled rice, and it did 
taste good. About 8 or 9 in the morning, an old man with 
long, white hair came and sat down and commenced to talk 
with me. He asked me where I was wounded, and I told 
him. He asked me how my leg felt, and I told him it felt 
'queer.' I could not move my foot, and it felt like a foot 
that was 'asleep' ; kind of prickly. He then told me he was 
a doctor, and asked me what I was going to do. I told 
him I had asked the dcictor to take it off for me, but he ad- 
vised me not to have it taken off. and asked me if I wanted 
to go home. I said yes, as I was no good to the army now. 
'Then.' he said, 'tell them when they come after you that you 
have concluded not to have it done, and they won't take it 
off. It is better than a wooden leg, and if they take it off, 
they have got to unjoint it at the hip. as it will do no good 
to take it off below the wound.' 

He then said that the ball had cut the leaders to my foot, 
which caused the foot to drop, and had injured the sciatic 
nerve, which caused paralysis, and that it would always 
trouble me, that many times I would be hurrying along and 
would stub my toe, as the foot had dropped and caused me 
to fall. This I have done a great many times. He said, — 
'You may think it strange for me to give you advice, but if 
you ever want to go home don't have your leg taken off. 
for there is only one chance in a thousand of your living.' 

I took his advice, and his words have proved true in re- 
gard to my leg. 

THE DEATH OF PRIVATE GUSTINE. 

Soon after he left me, one of our own surgeons came 
along and said to me : — 

'One of your boys is over there.' 

'What is his name?' I asked. He said he did not know 
but would go and see. He came back and said his name was 
Gustine. I raised myself up on my elbow and asked Gustine 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 353 

how he was wounded. 'O, Charley. I am wounded through 
my left lung. I can't stand it a great while.' 

'Don't give up so,' I said, but he answered : — 'O, Charley, 
I'm a goner. I can't talk any longer.' He laid down and 
I never saw him again to talk with him. The next day I 
saw 2 men carrying an artilleryman into the next field to 
bury him. I think it was — poor Gustine. 

TALKING IT OVER. 

That day a Confederate came and sat down by me and 
said : — 

'Well, Yank, what do you think of the w'ar?' 

'Well,' I said. 'Did you start it?' 

'No.' 

'Neither did I. Can you stop it?' 

'No.' 

'Neither can I. You won't agree with me?' , ; 

'No.' 

'Neither will I with you. Now we are good friends, wdiat 
is the use of our arguing the question ? Neither you nor I 
can stop it.' 

'You're right,' he said, and from that time out, as long as 
he was there, he would come every day and ask me to lend 
him my pipe. He kept me in tobacco as long as he was 
there. I was then moved into the cellar of the house, and 
jjut into a little room with 2 others. One man's name w-as 
Smith. He belonged to a New- York regiment. He was 
terribly wounded, and kept calling for his wife and children 
all the time. They came after him to take off his legs a 
number of times, and he would keep putting them off, say- 
ing, 'Let me lay a little longer, please, I am so comfortable.' 
At last two attendants came in and said 'The Doctor says 
bring you, dead or alive.' 

'Well, please give me a drink of water.' 

They gave him water, he drank a little, and then for the 



354 HISTORY OF THE 

first time in my life I heard the death rattle. They carried 
him out. 

HANDY WITH HIS NEEDLE. 

I lay in that cellar 3 days. Then they took me out, and 
laid me under a tree on the other side of the house, where 
I heard 2 Confederates talking about the poor fellows who 
had legs and arms taken ofif, how they suffered pain and had 
nothing to rest the stumps on. I called them and told them 
if they would bring me some old bags so I could cut them 
up into smaller ones, or some cloth, so I could make some 
small bags out of that, they could stuff them with grass, and 
they could lay their stumps on them and it would ease the 
pain. They did, and I made a number of them. I made the 
bags for Confederates as well as Union men. I, being a har- 
ness maker, was handy with my needle, and I always carry 
my thimble in my pocket, even today. I still have my 
needle-book that I carried with me in my jacket pocket. 

I enlisted as an artificer, and when we were in Washing- 
ton, encamped on Capitol Hill, the paymaster came and said 
that the Government only allowed 2 artificers, a blacksmith 
and a harness-maker, and as I was the second one to enlist 
as a harness-maker, I could take my discharge and go 
home. But I preferred to stay, so asked Serg't. (O. B.) 
Smith if I could have No. 3 man's place on the gun, which 
he gave me. 

I was the first man wounded in the Battery, and the first 
badly wounded man to return to New Bedford. 

TO RETURN TO THE PRISON YARD. 

Next a very tall Confederate came to me, and said : — 
'Yank, where did you enlist?' 

I told him I enlisted in New Bedford, but I was a Nan- 
tucket boy. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 355 

'New Bedford ? Why, I used to be a coaster, and I have 
been there.' 

He then told me all about that city, and how pretty it 
looked at night all lit up, as you come up the river. Every 
day, as long as I was there at Gaines Farm, he would come 
along and put something under my blanket and say, 'Don't 
touch that till after I am away.' I would find either crack- 
ers, or a piece of 'salt horse' as we used to call corned beef. 

THE NO. I GUN. 

There was on the day of the Malvern Hill fight, a little 
boy came and said to me. — 'You ones will be taken back 
before long, for you ones are driving our men. What gun 
was that that held the gap in the woods?' 

I told him it was No. i gun of the Fifth Mass. Battery. 
I asked him how they got by that gun, and these are exactly 
his words: — 

'General Jackson rode up and asked the general in com- 
mand "Why don't you go on?" The general answered "I 
can't. I have got a piece of artillery I can't pass. I have 
charged three times on it, and have been repulsed each 
time." 

Jackson told him to 'Charge, Halt, Fire, and then 
Charge in your smoke!' 

By charging before the smoke rolled away their advance 
was unobserved, and that is how No. i gun was lost. 

THE CORN-POPPER. 

'How is it?' asked the little boy, 'You ones kill our men 
and we only wound yours. You ones did not play it on we 
uns did you? You ones left a trap for us, but we did not 
touch it. What did you do with it? You ones came and 
took it away.' 

It seems that it was what we boys used to call the 'Corn- 



356 HISTORY OF THE 

popper,' a gun that you put the cartridges into a hopper, and 
by turning a crank the cartridges would fall into the barrel 
of a rifle attached to it, and did good work. They thought 
it a trick we were playing on them, and did not dare go 
near it, and our men came and recovered it. 

A CONSULTATION. 

While the boy and myself were talking, a number of offi- 
cers rode into the yard and stopped a little way from where 
I lay and held a consultation. I should think they talked a 
half an hour or so, then they galloped off, some in one direc- 
tion, some in another. In a little while from that they 
turned our men and won the day. 

A soldier from a Maine regiment lay near me, and every 
morning he would ask me to lend him my testament which 

1 did. One morning after he passed back my testament, 
some 'Johnnies' came along and began to plague him. He 
commenced to swear, and called them everything he could 
think of, and when he got them as mad as they could be, 
they threatened to kill him and he laid back and commenced 
to sing. Well, he was one of the best singers I ever heard, 
and after that they would come every day and stir him up, 
and it always ended in his singing. 

TO SAVAGE'S STATION. 

We were put into army wagons and sent to Savage's Sta- 
tion where an officer came and asked what our names were. 
After that we were put on flats — such as we send wood into 
Boston on — and sent to Richmond. When the cars stopped, 

2 Confederates came to the car where I lay, and asked me if 
I had anything to eat. I told them I had 2 hard tacks and 
that was all. They begged me to give them to them. I told 
them I would if I thought I could get anything to eat in the 
city. They said They will feed you ones when they won't 
feed us.' They said 'O, we are so hungry !' — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 357 

I told tliem I would give them one and keep the other 
for myself. When I opened my havresack I found I had 3 
hard tacks, so I gave each one of them. They were mouldv, 
and wet, as it had rained hard all day, but you should have 
seen them eat, and then they begged for the other one. I 
told them I had done the square thing by them and wanted 
the other for myself. They said they knew it but they were 
so hungry. They did not take the one I had left, but 
thanked me for what I had given them. Soon 2 Confeder- 
ates put me on a litter and carried me into the depot, laying 
me down on the narrow platform near the engine. When 
they had lain me dow-n I found they had left my havresack 
and asked them to get it for me, offering them a ring I had 
on my finger if they would bring it to me, as I had my 
mother's and sister's pictures, and some few thing's I wanted 
to save. They went, and soon returned with it, and wanted 
to see the pictures. I showed them and then took off the 
ring and offered it to them. They were looking at the pic- 
tures, and when I offered them the ring they said, 'What do 
you take us for? Put the ring on vour finger again.' 

Soon a little boy came to me. about 12 years old, and 
said, — 

'Soldier, what can I do for you?' 

I had just had another hemorrhage and asked him to get 
me some cotton to stop it. He did, and then found me a 
small dry twig for me to keep the flies off. He then got me 
a fresh canteen of water. After that, every morning he 
would come and get me a fresh canteen of water. One 
morning he came and put his hand under my blanket and 
said 'Don't touch it till I am rone. It is something Mother 
sent, and there she is on the back of that car.' 

T looked, and all I could do was to bow to her. After he 
had gone, I found a nice, clean, white crash tow^el, and wdiile 
I was looking at it, an officer came up and wanted to know 
where I got that. I told him some one dropped it and I 
picked it up. He took it from me and when the bov came 



358 HISTORY OF THE 

aeain I told him, and he said. 'Some one told on Mother, 
yesterday, and she liked to got caught.' 

The last morning he came he left something under my 
blanket and said 'Mother sent you that.' He said all the 
badly wounded were to be sent north, and the slightly 
wounded were to be sent to Belle Isle, and true enough about 
the middle of the forenoon they commenced to load up. 

I heard an officer say 'Well, that's all.' I began to holler 
and the officer got mad, and told two men to 'take the fool 
and lug him off.' 

They put me in an open wagon with springs under it, I 
made the 6th one. When the team got to the outskirts of 
the city, the driver turned round and said — 'I am a Union 
man. I have got 2 boys down to the steamer looking out 
for good places for you.' He told us that they came after 
him to take us to the steamer, and he told them he would not 
take a Yankee in his wagon. He said they paid him $10 a 
piece in Confederate money, to take us to the steamer. — 
'But,' he said, 'I would have taken all I could carry for noth- 
ing, only I dare not say so.' 

On our way we went through a Confederate camp, and 
there was a bread cart standing near some tents. The team- 
ster stopped his team and said he was going to buy some 
bread for us. While he was gone, an officer rode up and 
wanted to know where the driver was. I told him he was 
buying bread. He asked 'Are you hungry?' — I said 'No, 
my friend,' and he swore and said 'I am no friend to you.' 
He followed us almost to the boat. The driver gave us each 
a loaf of bread, and said the officer was watching him. He 
had a ten dollar U. S. bill and said he would give that for 
a picture of A. Lincoln, if either of us had one, but none of 
us had one. We finally reached the steamer, and as we got 
where we could see it and 'Old Glory,' what a shout went 
up ! I could not keep back the tears, and great, stout men 
cried like babies to see the dear old flag again. One who 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 359 

never was deprived of tlie sight cannot realize how good it 
is! The joy was beyond describing. 

Well, true enough 2 stout young men came running up 
and said, 'Father, we have got some nice places for your 
men.' I was the last one to be taken out of the wagon, and 
I Vv-as placed in the gangway of the steamer. A man came 
in and sang out, — 'Are there any Massachusetts men here?' 
I hollered out 'Yes, come here.' 

He came and asked my name and put it in a little book. 
I asked him if he knew W. W. Caswell of the Fifth Mass. 
Battery. He said 'Yes.' I said 'Tell him that Charley 
Barnard is badly wounded, bound north.' He went to one 
of the streets of the Battery and hollered out : — 'Does any 
one know Charley Barnard ?' Ephraim B. Nye was writing 
a letter at that time to his wife. He stepped out of his tent 
and said, — 'Yes, I know him.' He then gave him my mes- 
sage, and he wrote it to his wife, and that was the first that 
any one knew that I was living. 

I was taken to Baltimore, put in the Hospital, No. 80 
Camden St. One day a gentleman came in and looked at the 
card over my head and says — 'From New Bedford?' — 'Yes, 
sir.' 'Well,', he says, 'So am I, my name is Rodman (Ed- 
mund Rodman) and I am going back in a few days.' 

Then I asked him if he would go and see my mother and 
tell her just how he found me. Some one had told her that 
I had had a large piece of my hip taken off, and they only 
took out about three inches. She was worrying about me. 
He went to see my mother and told her, and I never shall 
forget his kindness." 

THE FIELD REVISITED. 

In letters dated South Boston. September 24th and Octo- 
ber 3, 1900, Corporal Thomas E. Chase thus refers to a 
recent visit to this battlefield : — 

"I have just returned from Richmond, Va. and the old 



360 HISTORY OF THE 

battle ground of the seven clays' fights. I could not make 
it seem possible, as I watched the farmer tilling the battle- 
fields, that the last time I was there all was the roar of artil- 
lery and the rattle of musketry. Strange thoughts came to 
me as I strolled over that quiet square mile of peace, — 
Gaines Mills, — with only seven people in sight, as I pointed 
out to wife and daughter where sixty-five thousand Con- 
federates fought fifteen thousand of our men that sultry 
afternoon of June 27th, 1862, for Nature is doing her best 
to hide the scars and lines of battle, but I had no trouble 
finding our positions." 



Malvern H/ll. 







!. Dr. J. H. Mallert'S house, Headc^uari-ers of Gen. fiorell 2./^ore7/i or,3 
Grif/rn's j>oa7fiar>. 3- SyJies' position. 4. Hunf's Tieserve. Arh S. Colcnel 
Tj/Jerj^Je-se. q-uns. 6. Gene.Tol F-r-o-nhliT^ Co-mmOTtJ. 7. Gen. Porter's Comm- 
ond. 8.-9 HeintjelTTtart'stk KeT^e-s" Cowrnan^S. /O. CovcTi's Coni7H(md. JI.Ge.Ti. 
/^or-tynSale's Coyr>maT>3. /2.Sv7m?er's Com-rriaTTcfTn Tteserve. /3. Phce zuhere. 
Gen. MoTcH's Co-m-manJ invouoc/(eS Jvne 30, /86Z 14: Wheat /■> elds. /S- Ih. 
Mi'-ngsi-urys * Am&s's lattei-ies. /Z /iarfjn'S.fS WeedeWs /^ positro-n., /9 )^eeJer/s 
2"^ position, alio Arn^sZuTyi. 2°. FiJ^h. Afoss. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. 
July i, 1862. 

"Forget not our wounded companions who stood 
In the days of distress by our side ; 
While the moss of the valley grew rich with their blood, 
They stirred not. but conquered and died." 

— Thomas Moore. 

It now became the duty of the Fifth Corps to guard the 
roads leading from Richmond toward the White Oak 
Swamp, over which they had passed on June 28, 1862, and 
on the next day to proceed to Turkey Bend on the James 
River, cover the Charles City road to Richmond, and open 
communication with the gunboats on the James. 

Porter's orders were to move by the direct road to Mal- 
vern Hill, an elevated plateau a mile and a half long and 
about three quarters of a mile broad, free from any growth 
of timber. Towards the north and east it sloped gently till 
it reached a thick forest. On the west was a deep ravine 
running down to the James River. Along the front the 
land is uneven, making the hill difficult to approach except 
by roads built across the low places. Porter was to select 
and hold this position, continuing the line to the right. 
Time was lost by the guide mistaking the road, and the ist 
Division did not reach James River imtil 10 a. m. of the 
30th. The Divisions of Morell and Sykes were given the 
Left of the position, with Colonel Henry J. Hunt's Artillery 
Reserve and Colonel Robert O. Tyler's siege guns on Mal- 
vern Llill; Porter's command holding the Left and Left 

361 



362 HISTORY OF THE 

Centre of our forces upon which the enemy made a most 
determined attack. This was successfully resisted by the 
infantry, which the superior position and strength of the 
artillery placed so as to sweep all the approaches, and, to 
some minds, the proximity of the gunboats, made invincible. 
Brig. Gen. William F. Barry, in his account of the opera- 
tions of the Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, from 
July 25th, 1861, to August 29, 1862, dated September i, 
1862, says: — 

■'For the artillery of the Army of the Potomac, it is but simple jus- 
tice to claim that in contributing its aid to the other two arms, as far 
as lay in its power, it did its whole duty faithfully and intelligently, 
and that on more than one occasion, the Battle of Malvern Hill par- 
ticularly, it confessedly saved the Army from serious disaster." 

If the "lay of the land" had been more in his favor ]Mc- 
Clellan might have here shown the advantage of the co- 
operation of the water with the land forces, as first sug- 
gested by him, and which he endeavored to demonstrate as 
soon as it was in his power. 

Some time previous to tliis battle, he had consulted with 
Commodore John Rodgers, and it was supposed that he 
knew what position could be taken on the river, for con- 
veniently opening fire upon the flank of the enemy attacking 
our forces at Malvern Hill. 

General William B. Franklin held the Right resting on 
the James River, General Fitz John Porter the extreme 
Left : General E. D. Keyes and General S. P. Heintzelman 
the Centre, and General E. V. Sumner's Corps was in re- 
serve. 

The Right was to be supported by the gunboats "Galena" 
and "Jacob Bell," the duty of whose lOO-pounders it was to 
sweep the woods and prevent the advance of rebel reinforce- 
ments. But it has been confidently asserted that the co- 
operation of the gunboats at this point was of doubtful 
utility on account of the height of Malvern Hill, which 
obstructed the view of the troops from the river; in other 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 363 

words the Hill was in the way. And yet, it would he hard- 
ly fair, perhaps, to say that the gunboats were of no advan- 
tage, especially as the victory was ours and nobody was to 
be blamed. 

Grows' "Journal" : "Sunday, June 29, 1862. Packed up, 
and at 4 were on our way : went about 3 miles and stopped, 
on account of some trouble ahead. It is very hot. In about 
a couple of hours we got under way and went a short dis- 
tance, when we stopped and rested till 4 o'clock this after- 
noon when we began the march again, and arrived in camp 
about 7, put up tents and turned in. 

Monday June 30, 1862. Broke camp about 4 this morn- 
ing and started to go ten miles to City Point on the James 
River, but did not go more than three, when we went into 
park on a place called Turkey Island, put up our tents in 
the edge of the woods and laid down. I am very hungry, 
for I have not tasted meat for a number of days. 

I soon fell asleep and awoke to find that we were on the 
move again to get out of the way, as a battle was going to 
be fought. We moved about one mile. After getting 
there we rested a little. In a very short time the fight be- 
gan, and never did I hear such noise! — the cannonading 
was awful. In about an hour the firing on the rebel side 
ceased." 

General McClellan stayed with the Fifth Corps all night 
on the 30th and inspected the line at 8.30 next morning. 

REPORT OF GEN. GEORGE W. MORELL. 

General Morell's Report dated Harrison's Bar, Va., July 
21, 1862, has the following: — 

"At daylight on the 30th June, 1862, Monday, I started 
for Turkey Bridge and James River via the Quaker road 
and Malvern Hill, and bivouacked about 10 a. m. on the 
bank of the river below the bridge, but was soon recalled to 
Malvern Hill, as the enemy was approaching. . . . On the 



364 HISTORY OF THE 

west edge of the field, not far from the Richmond road, and 
overlooking the field and valley, is a large white house. 
Dr. J. H. Mellert's, which was my headquarters. My Di- 
vision occupied the extreme left of the line, and in this field 
bore its part in the battle of Malvern." 

General Charles Grifiin was charged by General Fitz John 
Porter with a general supervision of the artillery line, in ad- 
dition to the command of his brigade; Captain William B. 
Weeden retaining the immediate command of the artillery 
attached to the Division. In his report General Griffin, 
after designating the artillery engaged, says: — ''The bat- 
teries were excellently served. The greatest coolness and 
bravery were displayed by officers and men, and my only 
regret, is my inability to mention the officers by name." 

General Morell, in his acknowledgments for his indebted- 
ness to certain officers, includes Captain Weeden whom he 
says "besides performing his peculiar duties, joined me 
whenever he could do so, and acted as one of my staff." 

A RECENT COMPLIMENT. 

In a letter dated Providence, R. I. September 19, 1899, 
Captain William B. Weeden says : — 

"A section of the Fifth Mass. Battery under Lieut. Phil- 
lips, was posted next Battery C, R. I. then under my imme- 
diate command, in the heaviest shock of the battle of Mal- 
vern Hill. It did excellent service, both command and 
men." 

REPORT OF GEN. JOHN H. MARTINDALE. 

General John H. Martindale in his official account of the 
battle, after referring to the retirement of the rear guard 
of the day before, which left Porter's Corps and Couch's 
Division to cover the front, describes the conflict as "an 
affair of artillery," and proceeds to say, — "None of Porter's 
Corps had yet engaged the infantry. Couch, however, was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 305 

pressed severely on the right, but held his ground. I had 
encountered artillery before, but now it opened as I had 
never yet seen it. It was obvious that the whole Army 
of the Potomac was resting there for safety on the steadi- 
ness of the portion of it which was then confronting the 
enemy. I went along the line of my regiments, and told 
them my dispositions for battle, and reminded them that a 
retreat would be annihilation. It would 1)e better to face 
the enemy to the last, than to retire, — that there was no 
Washington to fall back on as at Bull Run, no Chicka- 
hominy to cross as at Gaines Mills. We must be victorious 
or perish!" 

FROM THE REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. DARIUS N. 

COUCH. 

Harrison's Landing, Va. 

July 5, 1862. 

"At 9 o'clock [July i, 1862] Berdan's sharpshooters 
were driven in. The rebels were driven off by artillery 
alone. From this time until about i p. m. the contest was 
on both sides in the hands of the artillerists; then they 
pushed forward a column to carry the Left of the line held 
by Griffin. They were driven back disorganized and cut up 
by our artillery alone. Their batteries played upon us with- 
out intermission, but owing to the care used in masking the 
men, our loss from it was not serious, with the exception of 
a battery to the right, that enfiladed my position. . . . 

At about 4.30 p. m., after an incessant cannonade, they 
boldly pushed forward a large column from their Right in 
the open field to carry Griffin's position. The fire of three 
batteries was concentrated upon them. Kingsbury's [Bat- 
tery D, 5th U. S.] battery having been withdrawn for am- 
munition, was relieved by three guns of Battery C, Rhode 
Island Artillery and two guns, — Allen's Fifth Massachu- 
setts,— under Captain Weeden. The attacking column kept 



366 HISTORY OF THE 

on, continually reinforced until within range of Griffin's 
Rifles, when it was stopped and formed line. 

From this time until 8 p. m. there was enacted one of the 
sublimest sights ever presented in war, resulting in a glo- 
rious victory to our arms." 

The action now became general and General Couch as- 
sumed command of the entire line for the time, ordering up 
the reserves etc. etc. 

"Night closed in upon us," he continues, "still fighting; 
the opposing forces only known by their lines of fire, that of 
the rebels gradually slackening until 8.30 p. m., after which 
an occasional cannon shot from our batteries only broke the 
stillness that pervaded this bloody field. 

Thus ended the battle of Malvern Hill, which caused 
great carnage and demoralization among the best divisions 
of the enemy, with comparatively small losses on our side. 
. . . Having received orders from General McClellan to 
fall back, my troops were gradually withdrawn from the 
field. Captain Benson [Captain Henry Benson Battery M. 
2d U. S.] w^ho had relieved the Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island batteries after dark, left one section of his artillery. 
. . . Both armies retreated, the one because it was beaten, 
the other because it was a part of the plans of our general." 

Powell's History says of Allen's [Fifth Mass.] and 
Weeden's [Fourth R. L] Batteries: — "About 4 p. m. July 
1st, [the hour at which the assault on Morell's lines was ex- 
pected, information to that effect having reached Porter's 
Head Quarters,] the Fourth R. I. Battery [Weeden's] com- 
manded by Lt. Richard Waterman, w^as withdrawn from 
the left, and later on, in connection with Lt. [John B.] 
Hyde's section of Allen's Battery, relieved Kingsbury's 
[Battery D, 5th U. S.] Battery, on General D. N. Couch's 
left, and rendered admirable service, having a wdiole com- 
pany of experienced gunners to man his three guns." 

At 4.30. McClellan came upon the field again to consult 
with Porter at his Head Quarters, the Malvern house. At 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 367 

9 p. m. the battle was over and McClellan had a consultation 
with Commodore Rodgers in relation to the movement to 
Harrison's Landing which was then decided upon. So very 
pleased was he with the outcome of this encounter, that he 
closed his official report with the following words : — 

■'!My mind cannot coin expressions of thanks and admiration warm 
enough or intense enough, to do justice to my feelings towards the 
Army I am so proud to command. 

To my countrymen I confidently commit them, convinced they will 
ever honor every brave man who served during those seven historic 
days with the army of the Potomac. ... I will simply call attention 
to the invaluable services rendered by the artillery, and say that its 
performances have fully justified my anticipations, and prove it to be 
our policy to cherish and increase that arm of the service." 

FROM "RHODE ISLAND IN THE REBELLION." 

"The battle began at 3 o'clock p. m. by a heavy musketry 
fire from the rebels upon our centre, and soon a general en- 
gagement ensued. Our line was in the form of a semi- 
circle. For several hours the conflict raged with unmiti- 
gated fury. Here, as at Gaines Mills, Porter's Corps did 
some splendid fighting. ... At half-past eight o'clock in 
the morning the three remaining guns of Battery C, 
(Weeden's) with a section of Allen's Massachusetts Bat- 
tery, all under the command of Captain Weeden, moved to 
the hills and proceeded off to the Left of the line to protect 
the left flank. The Battery (Weeden's) with Allen's sec- 
tion, was stationed on the brow of a hill, and commanded a 
plain below. A sharp look-out was kept along the edge of 
the woods beyond the plain, to see that no rebels came out, 
and if they did. to give them a becoming reception. Shot 
and shell from the rebel batteries on our right were con- 
stantly flying over our heads, but we had, for the moment, 
less to fear from them than from some of our own guns on 
the extreme Left of the line, which were obscured from our 
view by woods, and were shooting over our heads. Some 



368 HISTORY OF THE 

of their shells were fired at too short range, and a t^z- 
pounder shell burst close by one of our pieces, instantly disab- 
ling six of its men, and fatally wounding Lieut. Waterman's 
horse and that of Serg't Hunt. It was little less than mi- 
raculous that their riders escaped. Two of the men were 
instantly killed, and four wounded, one severely. 

The explosion was stunning. Shells were coming from 
Right, Rear, and Left, and our position being too hot we 
were ordered to retire : and, moving farther to the right, 
very soon relieved Griffin's Battery, which had expended 
all its ammunition. After getting in battery, firing was 
commenced, dropping shells in various directions in the 
woods in front of us. A rebel battery somewhere in front 
of us, responded to our civilities, and sent us specimens of 
their ordnance stores, but as most of them overreached, no 
injury was done. 

In a short time a rebel regiment was seen coming down a 
road to our left and front and deploying into the field as 
skirmishers. Attention was also arrested by a rebel battery, 
just in the edge of the woods in the rear of the regiment, 
whose position could be discerned only by the smoke of its 
discharge. A few well directed missiles put a stop to im- 
pertinences, and firing from that quarter soon ceased. ]Most 
of its shots overreached and did comparatively little damage. 
One was made, however, which told on our ranks. A 
shrapnell burst splendidly, — for so are death missives often 
viewed on the battle field, — and one of the fragments struck 
Corporal William B. Thompson in the thigh, making a 
mortal wound. Another man, working the guns, was 
struck in the arm by a piece of the same shell, and died in 
twenty minutes. The rebel infantry came within 300 yards 
of our Battery, but we could not poke canister at them from 
fear of wounding our own men in front, so we gave them 
shrapnell, shells filled with sixty bullets and nearly as de- 
structive, which were fired over the heads of the infantry. 

The batteries, in their several positions, mowed down the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 369 

rebels with terrible certainty, as did our infantry along the 
entire line, but life seemed of no consequence to their of- 
ficers, and relying on their superior numbers they filled every 
breach made in their ranks with fresh men, maddened and 
made reckless by whiskey and gunpowder. 

Though they numbered three to our one it was in vain 
that they rushed upon our men. It was only to meet cer- 
tain death and final repulse. 

Our men stood up bravely to the work, as they did six 
days before, and when they saw the rebel infantry deploy- 
ing, cheered and waved their hats; crying 'Give it to them!' 
'Give it to them !' and it was done. . . . 

About half past seven o'clock we were relieved, and re- 
turned to the camp we left in the morning. Late in the 
night the Battery proceeded on its way to Harrison's Land- 
ing where it arrived at 4 o'clock a. m., very much exhausted. 

At midnight terminated a week of battles, the enemy 
driven back, and the Federal army holding the field. The 
Federals captured twenty-nine cannon and lost twenty - 
eight." 

THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLES. 

REPORT OF LIEUT. JOHN B. HYDE. 

"I was ordered by Captain Weeden to take my remaining 
pieces, with his Battery, to the front and on the brow of a 
hill about 2000 yards from the enemy who were in the edge 
of the woods, with artillery and infantry. We began to 
shell them, and after about half an hour, in connection with 
other batteries, silenced the enemy, and was then ordered 
with Weeden's Battery to take position in the field on the 
opposite side of the road, and again began firing in the direc- 
tion of the enemy. This was kept up till dark, when we 
were relieved and returned to camp. 



370 HISTORY OF THE 

Amount of ammunition expended, 300 rounds. 
Robert King wounded in breast. 
Jacob Peacock wounded in the leg. 
Three horses shot. 

During the engagement all the men behaved remarkably 
well. 

All of which is respectfully submitted 

John B. Hyde Lieut. 
Commanding Battery." 

FROM PHILLIPS' DIARY AND LETTERS. 

"Monday, June 30, 1862. Marched at 3 a. m. to the 
James River and camped at noon on Turkey Island near 
Malvern Hill. 

The whole army is coming this way. 

About noon as we passed through a w^heat field, the w^ieat 
was stacked all over the field, and we took advantage of this 
to secure some feed for our hungry and tired horses. Send- 
ing our cannoneers over the fence the wheat travelled in a 
very short period on to our caissons, while the owners looked 
from their windows, rather startled at this demonstration of 
the Army of the Potomac. I am happy to say I saw no 
guard over the property. The next field was an immense 
corn field, the corn already four feet high. Intermixed with 
the corn were most delicious blackberries, which tasted 
sweetly after a diet of hard bread and water. Arrived at the 
farther limit of this field w^e stopped and rested awhile; our 
men pulling up the corn to fodder their horses. On Tues- 
day night [July ist, after the battle of Malvern Hill] I 
could not see a blade of corn in the whole field. Close by 
us was a large cherry tree, but this w^as soon stripped. Some 
of our men brought me some cherries from a tree by the 
house close by, black, dead ripe, and delicious. After a 
short delay we marched on doAvn the hill and came into park 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 371 

in a very pleasant corn field, where we supposed we should 
stop all night, but late in the afternoon we moved back on 
to the hill again near our former position, but the appear- 
ance of things had changed. What we left a large green 
corn field was now an immense dry plain, all bristling with 
arms, and surrounded with batteries of artillery. Aw^ay 
beyond the wdieat field we could hear the roar of artillery, 
and the rattling of musketry and everything looked like a 
grand fight the next day. At one time the enemy appeared 
in our vicinity, making a small attack on our left and got a 
terrible thrashing. 

They dragged a few guns into position and opened on us, 
when, as the poet says, they were answered from the hill, and 
with a vengeance too. Probably nobody was ever in a hot- 
ter place, — on earth at least, — than the rebels were for the 
next 20 minutes. Siege guns, Parrotts, and everything 
else poured into them a tremendous fire, while the gunboat 
shells burst amongst them. The next day Captain Martin 
brought in two of their guns all covered wnth blood, while 
the dead horses and broken caissons showed the effects of 
our fire. Gradually as darkness settled upon the earth 
all became quiet, and we went to bed with great anticipa- 
tions of the morrow. 

The Battle of Malvern Hill. 

The sun was well up Tuesday July i, 1862, before the 
reveille roused us to our day's work. 

During the forenoon all was still and quiet, but we knev/ 
that the stillness might at any time be broken by the rattling 
of musketry and the roar of cannon. So we breakfasted 
on hard bread and waited for events. 

Soon came the order to hitch up, and we started out to- 
ward the wheat field. 

At noon they made their first attack, our artillery being 
arranged as follows : — 



372 HISTORY OF THE 

On the Right Griffin's Battery, Lt. Kingsbury com'd'g : 
six lo pdr. Parrotts, 3 inch caHbre; 

Next on the Left: — (Adelbert) Ames's Battery [Battery 
A, 5th U. S.] of six Light 12 pdrs. smooth bore, otherwise 
called the Napoleon Gun; 

Next: — 5th Mass. Battery 2 pieces; 

Next: — Captain Weeden's remaining 3 guns, — 3 inch 

Rifled Guns. 

On the right of Kingsbury, and hidden by a piece of 
woods, were some other batteries. 

Our two pieces were formed into one section and placed 
under me, Lt. Hyde taking command of the whole battery. 
Dillingham took charge of the caissons, and Scott was placed 
in command of the Battery wagons and forges belonging to 
Griffin's, Weeden's and Allen's Batteries. 

Martin's Battery had been detached and sent to the left, 
and I saw nothing of it during the day. Well, we started 
out, and first came into line behind Martindale's brigade 
which was sheltered behind a little w'ood. Close by us was 
the Mass. 226., which had suffered terribly on Friday 
[Gaines Mills]. Of course they were rather down-hearted, 
and the officers tried to keep up their spirits by singing &c. 
It was rather affecting to hear this regiment, cut down by 
disease and bullets to a mere fraction of its original num- 
bers, strike up the John Brown song, and proclaim their de- 
termination to hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree, as stur- 
dily as they did when their ranks were full. After waiting 
here a short time we, together with the brigade, moved a 
short distance to the left, and rested alongside of Weeden's 
Battery, Kingsbury having come into battery on the right; 
the brigade resting in front of us in column of Division ly- 
ing on the ground. Here we waited and dined on hard 
bread and coffee, and shortly afterwards moved to the left 
and came into battery. 

In front of us was the large level field about 1700 yards 
across. On the opposite side was a ridge, behind which the 



Second Positi on. 



^ Low Leve.1, 



»3 









.^■tA. 



^i^ a/v.-e , /y<,7,l„^/// -M-M-M 







^^ //jy^ Ground 



/. A779jsZvrys Z./4777e.s J /v//^/Vb,W. -^ Weeden's, po^-nt??!^ across 
//>e ?fTve.r. S AfQr-/7r?3Q7e. 6.Pe.1el Gz4r?s. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 373 

rebels placed their guns out of our sight, and blazed away, 
now from one place and now from another. In the woods 
beyond was an indefinite number of rebels. On our left the 
ground sloped rapidly down to a low level meadow bounded 
by woods. We were charged with the duty of protecting 
our Left from any flank movement. 

No infantry was in sight; theirs being hidden in the 
woods, and ours being hidden behind the hill in rear of our 
guns. 

Suddenly out the rebels poured from the woods in front 
of Kingsbury, and down the road, their red flags flying, and 
charged across the field. 

Our infantry rushed out to meet them, and back they 
went with diminished numbers. 

An intervening hill prevented us from participating; we 
could see them only for a few minutes. 

Soon afterwards we were ordered to the right, and having 
to cross under a heavy fire of shrapnell, the enemy shooting 
very well, we had two men wounded by fragments of shell : 
Robert King in the shoulder, and Jacob Peacock in the leg. 
\Miile waiting for a few minutes to change our limbers, 
I had an excellent opportunity to dodge. A shrapnell burst 
right in front of me; the fragments striking the ground 
about 20 feet off. One piece about an inch square 
ricocheted, and came in the most spiteful way straight for 
my shoulder, but, by a most graceful right oblique, I got 
out of the way. About this time I missed Lt. Hyde, who 
was looking after the caissons, I presume, and so I took 
command and marched the guns at full gallop to the right, 
and came into line with Captain Weeden, behind Kingsbury, 
who was firing his last shots at the retreating rebels. Soon 
after we were ordered forward to relieve him, everything 
else remaining in statu quo, and we came into battery and 
waited. General Couch, General Abercrombie and General 
Griffin,— commanding Morell's old brigade,— were all in 



374 HISTORY OF THE 

onr neighborhood, but I do not know the exact disposition 
of the infantry. 

Late in the afternoon the rebels made another attack on 
our Left and Centre. Just previous to it they got six pieces 
of artillery into a new position, and opened on us, intending 
apparently to disable us. The result made the attempt very 
ridiculous; though they made some good shots and threw 
some shrapnell between our guns, they did not hurt anv- 
body, and in 15 minutes we had silenced them so completely 
that they did not fire another gun. What on earth induced 
them to try such a ridiculous proceeding I do not know. If 
they had kept their guns masked until their infantry 
charged, and then had used them to distract the attention 
of our artillery, or to operate against our infantry, they 
might have accomplished something, but they ought to have 
learned by this time that they stand no chance at artillery 
practice. 

As soon as they made their appearance from the woods, 
our artillery opened on them with terrible effect. The air 
over their heads was filled with the smoke of bursting shells 
whose fragments plowed the ground in front. Half way 
across the field, and already their ranks show many a gap, 
while wounded men are straggling fast to the rear. 

They had got within 800 yards, when out rushed the in- 
fantry on our left, and the rattling of musketry mingled with 
the roar of cannon. Then the rebels poured out fresh 
troops from the woods in front of us ; then we sent in more, 
and so the fight went on until 50,000 men were fighting in 
the field in front of us. We fired as fast as we could get 
fresh limbers full of ammunition; piling up our canister 
alongside of the gun, so as to be ready for them. 

When two hours had passed away, we had fired 250 
rounds, our men were tired, and three horses were killed, 
when another battery came to relieve us. [Colonel Henry 1. 
Hunt sent Battery M, 2d U. S. Captain Henry Benson, and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 375 

Battery G, ist New York Light. Captain Jj)hn D. Frank, 
to relieve Waterman and Hyde on the left.] So we lim- 
bered up and came off. 

The fight still kept on, but about dark we drove them 
back. 

Going a mile to the rear I found the caissons all safe. 
We waited without unhitching till midnight, when we 
started for James River, arriving at 3.30 a. m. on the large 
plain where we encamped. 

Our men came out of this fight in very good spirits; they 
thought they had paid the rebels somewhat for Friday's loss, 
and they cheered and hollaed at a great rate." 

FROM SCOTT'S NOTES. 

"Ji^ine 30, 1862. After leaving the Chickahominy our 
spirits revived. Found the 5th Corps camped on Malvern 
Hill near the James River. 

Parked away from the river in the lee of some outbuild- 
ings, we eat our hard-bread, heard a few experiences of 
narrow escapes during the day, and slept on the ground the 
night of the 30th of June unmolested. Most of the army 
were arriving, and with the gunboats on James River we 
felt secure. 

In the rear of the Malvern house facing north, was a level 
plain or plateau. 

Our lines were formed on the outlying hills of the plateau, 
with our flank on the river protected by the gunboats. 

The enemy followed closely. 

On the morning of the ist of July. 1862, the weather was 
fine. Corps were getting into line of battle. 

As the Battery stood on the plain near the Malvern house, 
solid shot from the enemy came pounding around us. 

I was put in charge of the wagons and caissons, with 
orders to take them to a safe place, and they were taken past 
the Malvern house, into a hollow, where we remained all 
day, only listening to the heavy firing of the battle. 



376 HISTORY OF THE 

The 5th Mass. Battery, having only two guns, with Lieu- 
tenants Hyde, Dillingham, and Phillips, was sent to the 
front. I saw none of the fighting, but the guns were fought 
for all they were worth by Lt. Phillips who achieved for 
himself and his men high honor. 

The gunboats sent their shots past the Left flank of our 
Corps into the enemy's Right. They made a fearful noise 
passing through the air, to the demoralization of the enemy, 
who did not like those 'lamp posts' as they called them. 

As night began to close in, Lt. Hyde having come down to 
where I was stationed with the trains, I ascertained from 
him where the two guns were, and said I would go and find 
them. 

Mounting my horse I started across the plains. 

The artillery fire was terrific. In the darkness I could see 
the flashes of our guns and those of the enemy, and soon bul- 
lets came flying through the air. Meeting a mounted of- 
ficer, and making inquiries of him without getting any 
further news, I thought, as I w^as there without orders, my 
safest place was out of the line of fire, and retuining to the 
Malvern house I found the two guns had preceded me. The 
battle was over for the night." 

FROM LT. BLAKE'S LETTER. 

In a letter dated July 4, 1862, Lt. Pel eg W. Blake then 
sergeant, but promoted to 2d Lt. on the 13th of that month, 
wrote : — 

"On a splendid field near the James River, on the ist of 
July came the tug of war. 

We were ordered out with our two pieces, my piece and 
Spear's piece, all we had, at 12 o'clock m. We took our 
position on the Left of the field and commenced firing, the 
rebels coming out of the woods one mile distant. 

Seventy-five pieces of artillery were firing on the rebels 
who were mown down bv the thousands, not bv the hun- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 37 Y 

dreds, and at one time I should think there were 5000 rebels 
who came out of the woods under all of our fire of artillery 
and musketry. 

On they came, and still kept coming, but soon began to 
run back for the woods, but I am sure, and I heard two gen- 
erals say, that there were none ever got back to tell the tale. 

Soon after, they made their general attack, and there were 
said to be 100.000 rebels under Beauregard. We whipped 
them bad. 

\\'e then fell back to the James River, and started down 
the river 10 miles. We are now on the James River." 

LETTER OF ACTING SERG'T. SPEAR. 

"Friday July 4, 1862. 

Saturday morning the Army commenced retreating again 
and kept falling back, and falling back, until Tuesday, when 
it had another battle. 

The two remaining pieces were engaged, and I was in the 
fight about 4 hours Tuesday afternoon." 

AT MALVERN HILL 

NOTES OF LIEUT. SPEAR. 
July 24. 1901. 
"The two remaining pieces went into position under com- 
mand of Lieut. Phillips, nearly to the extreme left of the 
Army, on the right of the road, near a small farm house, 
remaining there until about noon, then changing to the left 
and rear about one-half mile, into a wheat field on the side 
of the hill commanding an extended view of the enemy's 
right, as it advanced in line of battle. This was the first 
best position that we had for execution, to my knowledge, 
during the war, the second being at Gettysburg when on the 
left of Hancock's Corps, the third dav of the fight." [See 

V- 651.] 



378 HISTORY OF THE 

LETTER OF ACTING SERG'T. SPEAR. 

"Harrison's Landing, Va. 
Thursday, July 17, 1862. 

Last night, also on the night before, we had thunder 
showers, and they cooled and purified the air, and the morn- 
ings following the showers were delightful. Every morning- 
Bill Baxter and myself take a morning ride down to the 
river and have a swim. In my letter I stated that there 
were only three of the Quincy boys in the fight at Malvern 
Hill. There were four, viz., Joe Whitcher, H. E. Shaw, 
Bill Lapham and myself. 

Joe Whitcher was driving a pair of lead horses on Tues- 
day, when the last fight occurred, and came directly on the 
battle field, to supply us with ammunition, conducting him- 
self nobly, and managed his horses in good style, for it was 
a hard and difficult task to keep the horses in their proper 
places, when the bullets were whizzing, and the shells burst- 
ing about us." 

FROM CHASE'S DIARY. 

"June 30, 1862. Routed out and packed up at two 
o'clock this morning, and after waiting three hours, again 
resumed our march towards James River, and later reached 
the river, and camped until about 3 p. m., when we again 
received marching orders. General McClellan hastily re- 
viewed the troops this p. m., while in line to march. He 
was greeted by roars of cheering. 

Cannonading heard in a northerly direction towards the 
Chickahominy. 

At the foot of a hill to which we marched back, after 
marching over it this morning, an artillery duel ensued. A 
rebel battery commenced shelling our troops from the woods, 
but our artillery and the gunboats on the river, shelled them 
out in about thirty minutes. Several of the enemy's bat- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 379 

teries were taken, and about 200 prisoners passed our camp. 

July I, 1862. Cannonading heard in front this morning. 
A battery of twelve 32 pdrs. and the gunboats on the James 
River, opened on the enemy. 

Hitched up and went 'In Battery' at the edge of a piece 
of woods just to the right of the 22d Mass. Regt. while they 
were singing 'John Brown's body &c' and the shot and shell 
flying over them, and us, both ways. 

Nothing but hard bread and water to eat with one excep- 
tion since June 26th until today, when we had beans. A 
general engagement began about 3 p. m. and lasted until 
about Q p. m. 

Our two remaining pieces advanced and took position on 
the left of the line, and commenced shelling the enemy in 
front : fired fifteen shots at them and then went to the rear, 
but afterwards took a new position on an eminence in front 
of the enemy, and held our ground until 7 p. m., when we 
were relieved by another full battery of 10 pounders. 

A fearful battle ! The enemy charged on our lines and 
were mown down with canister and shrapnell shot, and the 
infantry, — a constant roar of cannon and musketry. Lost 
two horses. Retired to the rear in good order, and took 
the march to Harrison's Landing, James River: reached a 
halting place about 3.30 in the morning of the 2d. [July, 
1862]. Lt. C. A. Phillips very gallantly took us into our 
second position in front of the enemy." 

NOTES OF D. HENRY GROWS. 

From Notes of D. Henry Grows No. 6 man [to deal am- 
munition] on the 5th Gun: — 'Tuesday, Julv i, 1862. Got 
up about 6. Had some coffee. In a short time firing was 
heard on the Right, and we were ordered to take the pieces 
out on to the front. We went out and laid down to rest as 
the firing had ceased. Stopped here till about 3 this after- 
noon, when we were ordered to take our position in line of 



380 HISTORY OF THE 

battle, which we did on a beautiful hill, a large, level plain 
beneath, with woods in the rear in which the rebels were 
concealed. 

We soon opened upon them, our position being on the 
Left, and they returned it in good earnest. We had about 
thirty pieces of artillery against them. They sent a brigade 
of infantry out against us. 

I was sick of blood ! We were exposed at one time to a 
lieavy cross fire but we soon got it down. 

There has been a great slaughter to-day! I stood at my 
post till I dropped, owing to the heat, and was sent to the 
rear. I shall go out again as soon as I am able. A man 
took my place. We fired some 300 rounds. We lost one 
horse, and one of the men was struck with a piece of shell. 
About dusk we went into camp and turned in. Had not 
slept but a short time before we were turned out and 
marched all night till 4 o'clock in the morning." 

FROM GEN. THOMAS W. HYDE. 

Gen. Hyde in his book "Following the Greek Cross," thus 
describes his emotions on this battle field : — 

"I soon found myself on Malvern Hill, where I could ad- 
mire the stern array of what was left of the 5th Corps, shat- 
tered but dauntless still, and wonder at the grand massing 
of its batteries, supported by the artillery reserve, and listen 
to the deafening roar of the great guns from the war ves- 
sels far down on the James. . . . We heard afterwards how 
the best chivalry of the South had for hours dashed them- 
selves upon Porter's lines in vain, how Hunt's unsurpassed 
artillery had not allowed the enemy's attacking columns to 
keep their formation long enough to get near his guns." 

It was "by the light of the fires," in the words of General 
Martindale, "reflected on the clouds over the woods, and the 
report of the pickets,'"" which revealed to our forces that "the 
enemy was using the night to retire out of reach of our can- 
non, toward Richmond." 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE BATTERY DIVIDED. 

Officers and Men Transferred, Promoted, and Dis- 
charged FOR Disability. 

"What is honor? . . . Who hath it? He that died o' Wednesday. 
Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. Is it insensible then? 
Yea, to the dead. But will it live with the living? No. Why? De- 
traction will not suffer it." — Shakespeare, King Henry IV. 

Tlie Battle of Malvern Hill closed the Peninsula cam- 
paign. Halleck as general-in-chief gave peremptory or- 
ders, which were reluctantly carried out by McClellan and 
Hooker, to withdraw the Army from the Peninsula with 
all possible dispatch. 

Governor Andrew in an address referring to this period 
says : — 

"July 2, 1862, the President called for 300,000 men. The unfor- 
tunate campaign in Virginia, which results in the return of both our 
armies within the defences of Washington, aroused and inflamed the 
zeal of the whole people. The requisite number of men were speedily 
raised." 

General McClellan wrote the Secretary of War that to 
accomplish the task of capturing Richmond reinforcements 
should be sent to him "rather much over than less than one 
hundred thousand men," and then followed six weeks of 
inactivity while he waited. 

The Army had all "turned in" on the ground, after the 
battle of Malvern Hill, expecting to get a night's rest, but, 
talking over the day's fight while their excited nerves were 
recovering from the strain, orders came to move on, and 
they were again on the march. 

381 



382 HISTORY OF THE 

In pursuance of the retrograde movement southwest they 
marched ten miles, to Harrison's Landing, arriving about 
dayHght July 3d, and the Battery went fast asleep, at last, 
in a field where they had dropped down between the rows 
of corn. The horses stood in harness as they had been since 
the 26th of June. 

The enemy had not followed in force, and the weary sol- 
diers slept on far into the forenoon, unconscious that they 
were lying in six inches of water [Scott's Notes]. The rain 
beat upon them, but they paid no heed, and lay on the 
ground all day, side by side with the sick and wounded, 
obliged to lie, if they lie at all, in this quagmire, exposed to 
the weather, until the sick and wounded were taken on board 
the transports, which was accomplished during the day and 
the wagons came up with shelter for the weary ones. 

Reinforcements also arrived, and stragglers came in. 
Among the fresh troops was the 32d Mass. Infantry, as- 
signed to General Griffin's, late Morell's, Brigade. The 
enemy had not yet ceased harassing our rereating columns, 
for on July 3d in the morning, shells from two guns which 
they had placed in position, were seen bursting in the air; 
three of them going to pieces within 200 yards of the Bat- 
tery and one striking in Captain Martin's camp near them. 
The Battery's two remaining guns were hitched up for 
action, but after waiting two hours they were unhitched 
again. The rebel guns were so near that they were easily 
brought in by our flying artillery. 

Grows' "Journal": "July 3, 1862. . . . We soon got 
word that our troops had flanked them taking 40 pieces of 
artillery and 8000 prisoners. In a short time 600 of the 
32d Mass Reg't. arrived and were loudly cheered. Fresh 
troops have been coming in all day. After being in harness 
all day, towards night we were told to unhitch and go into 
camp again. 

Friday, July 4, 1862. About 10 this forenoon we broke 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 383 

camp and moved to a better camping ground, so as to give 
the men and horses rest, of which we are greatly in need. 
Got some nice straw and laid it in my tent. Fixed up 
things, then laid down." 

On the Fourth of July, General Henry W. Halleck, hav- 
ing come down from Washington, reviewed the troops, and 
the national salute was fired, at each Corps Head Quarters, 
in honor of the day. 

General McClellan anticipated an attack, and was expect- 
ing recruits. In his address to the troops on that day he 
said : — 

"The enemy may at any moment attack you. 

We are prepared to receive them. 

I have personally established your lines. 

Let them come, and we will convert their repulse into a final defeat. 

Your government is strengthening you with the resources of a 
great people. 

On this our nation's birth-day, we declare to our foes who are 
rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this Army shall 
enter the capital of the so-called Confederacy : that our national consti- 
tution shall prevail, and that the Union, which can alone insure internal 
peace and external security to each state, must and shall be preserved 
cost what it may in time, treasure, or blood." 

At the inspection of July 6th by General Fitz John Porter 
and Captain Weeden, the Fifth Mass. Battery was in line. 

"It seemed to be well understood by General Porter," 
wrote Scott, "what the condition of the Battery was : — 'You 
have lost four guns at Gaines Mills' he said, 'but you lost 
them honorably, and as soon as practicable they will be 
restored to you, and the service demands them.' " 

Grows' "Journal" : "Sunday, July 6, I862. It is a very 
hot morning. There was an inspection of the Battery by 
General Porter and staff this forenoon [See p. 341 F. P. 
Washburn] and he told us when Richmond was ours we 
should go home. 

This afternoon went to the Doctor: he told me I would 
not pass, and to have my discharge. I am almost worn out 
with fighting and marching so much. 



384 HISTORY OF TflE 

Monday, July 7th. Went to the Doctor witli Serg't 
Smith. He instructed me to tell my officer to have me go 
before the Brigade Surgeon and for him to sign our papers. 
Lieut. Hyde went to see him but he was away, so we will 
have to go tomorrow. 

Tuesday, July 8th. A very hot morning. After eating I 
with three others went to the head doctor. He told our 
lieutenant to send us home, and he will do all he can for us, 
for which I am very thankful." 

A REVIEW OF THE BATTLES. 

From a Letter of Thomas E. Chase : — "Harrison's Land- 
ing, Va. July 7, 1862. 

Since I last wrote you we have been in two despejate 
field engagements, besides much danger on picket duty. At 
two o'clock p. m. Thursday, 26th ult., we received marching 
orders, and were soon on the march to White House. Can- 
nonading had alread}'^ commenced toward Mechanicsville. 
and we knew that there was to be hot work on the morrow. 
We marched about two miles towards White House, and 
then countermarched nearly back again, and bivouacked for 
the night in a field with General Butterfield's Brigade. The 
firing continued until about 9 p. m., and we left the horses 
all night hitched to the pieces, and laid down near the guns 
ready for duty at a moment's notice. At early dawn the 
fight commenced again, and troops began to move. We left, 
too, but instead of approaching the scene of action we 
marched back nearly to the spot we had left the day before, 
and placed the guns 'in battery' on the brow of a hill com- 
manding a large tract of land around us. Lieut. Hyde then 
told us that our troops were retreating in good order, and 
that we were to cover their retreat, and that a battery of fly- 
ing artillery would be the last to cross the mill-stream below 
us. We were to hold our position and repulse the enemy 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 385 

until all the troops had crossed and destroyed the bridge. 
The enemy's cannonading and musketry sounded nearer and 
nearer, and at last the battery crossed and the men began to 
rip up the bridge. The enemy across the Chickahominy 
spied us, and opened on us from their 32 pdr. battery, but 
as the distance was great they did us no injury, their shells 
striking at least 100 yards from us. The bridge was de- 
stroyed before the enemy made their appearance, and we 
trotted off to a new position about half a mile distant, also 
on a hill, at the edge of a piece of woods. Here we were out 
of the range of the enemy's 32 pdrs., and began to think we 
could rest, but — Hark ! The enemy have crossed the mill- 
stream, and are already at work! Our infantry. commence 
felling the trees in front of us, and preparations are made 
for a general engagement. The enemy threw some shells 
into the infantry behind the woods, but did but little injury. 
Soon they — the rebs — formed a line of battle, and on they 
came, but were quickly repulsed by our troops. After a 
short delay, they again rallied with increased numbers. The 
Left section of our Battery took a position at the edge of 
the woods on this charge, and blazed away at them. The 
enemy were repulsed the second time as splendidly as the 
first, and they tried it for the third time with great force 
but with the same success. Redoubling their force, on they 
came again, yelling like devils. Our brave but exhausted 
troops held them in check for a few moments, and in the 
meantime we advanced with the full Battery, and began to 
pour canister and shrapnell into the solid ranks, but on they 
came, and our troops were overpowered and a general re- 
treat had commenced. Many of the infantry had passed 
us before we ceased firing, but we finally 'limbered up' and 
drove off. The horses began to fall, the enemy were close 
upon us, and we were obliged to leave four of our guns on 
the field. 

We retreated across the Chickahominy over Bottom's 



386 HISTORY OF THE 

Bridge, and camped for the night near McClehan's Head 
Quarters. . . . Our Battery fired about one hundred 
rounds at them at short range. . . . Porter's Division was 
forced to retreat across the river. They were overwhehned 
by superior numbers. Our troops fought bravely and well. 
We suffered a severe loss, but probably not more than half 
that of the enemy. We have been retreating towards the 
James River, and on Tuesday, ist inst. we had another des- 
perate battle. Before the fight McClellan rode along the 
lines, and was loudly cheered and greeted with music. 
Many of the troops thought it was good news, but some- 
thing told me that it meant fight, and well I knew that ere 
long many, of the voices that then cheered so loudly would 
be hushed in death. Although I was glad to see our 
Chieftain with us, well I knew his mission. That music was 
not harmony to me, for I knew that the interludes were 
to be the groans of the dying. This was on Monday, 31st, 
and the enemy had already made an attack about 5 p. m., 
but were soon repulsed." 

Notes of Francis P. Washburn : 'T send you a picture of 
the old sword picked up at Harrison's Landing. It was 
not carried by an officer but by a cannoneer. When we were 
equipped by the state of Massachusetts, the cannoneers were 
armed with swords like the one in the picture, and the 
drivers with sabres. Later in the War the drivers only 
carried side arms." 

The mails had recommenced, and the usual order of camp 
was resumed, but it was not an ideal camp, for there was 
no drinking water within a mile. The question of comfort 
was not, however, paramount at that time for the destiny 
of the Battery was being determined. 

A Special Order was issued from Head Quarters which for 
a time distributed its forces into other, but not new chan- 
nels, as the batteries with which the fortunes of the mem- 
bers of the Fifth Mass. Battery were cast, had been near 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 387 

nei,s:hbors in many camps and on many fields. 

John Galvin in a letter of Xov. 27th, 1899. referring to 
the life in camp of the Rhode Island and ^Massachusetts 
men. says : — 

"How often we partook of their hospitality of a Sunday 
morning ! The 5th Battery boys would not forget us. The 
Rhode Island boys did not know how to bake beans. I sup- 
pose they might be able to bake clams, but they could do 
nothing with beans." 

Of their fighting after the Battle of Gaines Z^Iills he says : 
— "How nobly they fought, with their two gnns and their 
handful of men, in every battle until we reached Harrison's 
Landing." 

SPECIAL ORDER No. 200. 

Headquarters, Army of the Potomac. 
Camp xear Harrison's Landing, 
July II. 186? 
Special Orders 
Xo. 200 

16. The officers and men of Allen's Battery E. Mass. Artillery 
[Morell's Division, 5th Provisional Corps], are assigned to duty with 
Martin's Battery C. Mass. Artillery, the batterj- still retaining its com- 
pany organization. 

The Commander of the 5th Provisional Corps will make such dis- 
position of the material and horses as he may deem proper in the bat- 
teries of Morell's Division. A sufficient number of men will be de- 
tached from Allen's Battery- and attached to Weeden's Battery- C, 
Rhode Island Artillerj-, to render the latter efficient The Chief of 
Artillery- will make arrangements at once to supplj- Martin's Battery 
with a light 12 pounder and Weeden's Batter}- with a 3 inch ordnance 
gun. 

By command of Major General McCIellan : 

S. Williams, _ 
Assistant Adjutant General. 



388 HISTORY OF THE 

CAPTAIN A. P. MARTIN'S ORDERS. 

Company Orders, 
Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va. 
July 12, 1862. 
In compliance with orders from Head Quarters Army of the Poto- 
mac, the officers and men of Allen's Battery E, Mass. Artillery, will be 
temporarily attached to this Battery, and until further orders will form 
one command. Officers and non-commissioned officers in both bat- 
teries will hold their present rank, and be respected and obeyed accord- 
ingly. 

In future the roll will be called in company line. The company will 
assemble, and when the order is given to call the roll, each Sgt. will 
step 2 paces to the front, call the rol], and return to his place, in the 
ranks, and report to the First Sgt. as he passes down the line, who will 
return opposite the centre of the line and report to the officer of the 
day, after which the company will be dismissed. 

The guard will hereafter be formed with sabres and inspected by 
the old officer of the day, the old guard will form and be properly 
relieved. Every man must appear at Guard mounting in uniform with 
pants turned down at the bottoms, brasses clean, with a tidy appear- 
ance generally. Every man will take his place in the ranks, remain 
silent, and keep his head square to the front, and his hands down by 
his sides. 

Each sergeant will at once hand in to Hd. Qrs. a list of his detach- 
ment ; designating those present for duty, and those sick ; also make 
a distinction between drivers and cannoneers. 

A. P. Martin Capt., 
Battery C, Mass. Art'y. 

OFFICERS RESIGNED. 

July 12, 1862, First Lieutenant John B. Hyde and Junior 
First Lieutenant Robert A. Dillingham resigned and were 
discharged. 

NOTES OF LT. JOHN B. HYDE, MAY 22, 1900. 

"Lt. Dillingham was enlisted a private by me, and at my 
request was commissioned junior second lieutenant, and 
afterwards was promoted to senior second lieutenant. 

He was a faithful, efficient officer, always discharging 
his duties in a satisfactory manner. At the time he resigned 
he was far from being a well man, and on the way home 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 389 

became seriously ill. He was assisted through the journey 
by Lt. Daniel S. Tompkins of the signal corps who was also 
ill and on sick leave, and myself. 

.\fter he arrived at his home in New Bedford, he grew 
worse, and was sick a long time with the dropsy, and 
died with that disease on January i st, 1868, aged 40 years." 

LT. HYDE'S COMING HOME. 

Lt. Hyde did not resign as a sick man, but the nervous 
strain through which he had passed produced typhoid fever, 
the effects of which still remain (1902), and while disposed 
to return to the service his physical condition would not 
admit of it. 

His relations with the Battery were always very pleas- 
ant, he looked after the men when they were sick but when 
well held them strictly to the performance of their duty. 

The horse "Black Charley" was sent home by express, 
and in the fall of 1864, at the New England Horse Fair 
held at Saugus, Mass., took the prize as a saddle horse for 
action and beauty. The prize was twenty-five dollars, and 
with it went a diploma, which neatly framed is still (1902) 
preserved among his master's souvenirs of the war. 

In later years he became the property of the distinguished 
lawyer Peleg W. Chandler of Boston and Brunswick, 
Maine, and occupied a stall in a stable as fine as a dwelling 
house. 

FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Harrison's Landing, 

July 12, 1862. 
In compliance with my recjuest Capt. Martin went up to 
see Gen. Porter yesterday. Gen. Porter said that the com- 
pany would be assigned to Capt. Martin, still retaining its 
company organization under my command. Yesterday an 
order arrived from Gen. ]\IcClellan for officers and men of 



390 HISTORY OF THE 

the Battery to report for duty to Captain Martin, a suffi- 
cient number to be detailed to fill up Weeden's Battery, the 
company still retaining the company organization, and Mar- 
tin and Weeden recruiting up to the maximum, regardless 
of us. So you see how the thing stands now. We still re- 
main a battery, without guns or horses, and most of the 
men detached for other duty. I shall retain my commis- 
sion, and be in command of the Battery, having our mus- 
tered pay rolls, and act as a kind of supernumerary to Mar- 
tin's Battery. Scott ditto." 

Diary of Lieut. Phillips: "July 13. Sunday, 25 of the 
men were detailed to Captain Weeden's Battery." 

OFFICERS PROMOTED. 

Several officers went up. July 13, 1862, Second Lt. 
Charles A. Phillips was promoted First Lt., Junior Second 
Lt. Henry D. Scott was promoted Junior First Lt., and 
Peleg W. Blake was commissioned Second Lt. x\ll of the 
Fifth Mass. Battery. 

August I St Frederick A. Lull was commissioned Junior 
Second Lieutenant. 

On July 13th, Scott and Phillips moved their tent to Cap- 
tain Martin's camp, and from this time till Sept. 12, 1862, 
the fate of the members of the Battery and of the remaining 
commissioned officers was identified with the organizations 
to which they had been assigned, viz., the Third Mass. Bat- 
tery and the Fourth Rhode Island, special regulations being 
made for several non-commissioned officers and privates 
(see p. 915), but after Captain Martin became acting chief 
of the Artillery Brigade, Lieut. Phillips received from Gen- 
eral Morell, commanding the Division, the appointment of 
acting assistant adjutant general and was assigned to the 
staff of Captain Martin. Lieut. Scott was appointed acting 
assistant quartermaster of Morell's Division and was as- 
signed to Martin's staff. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 391 

Corporal Thomas E. Chase whose Diary is so often 
quoted, went with Captain Martin's Battery. 

July 14, 1862, General Halleck. who had been ordered 
to Washington, assumed command as general-in-chief of 
the U. S. Armies, and the Army of the Potomac was re- 
cuperating. 

Grows' "Journal": "Monday July 14, 1862. About 8 
this forenoon the Doctor came round to see us. He told 
some of us he would send us North as soon as he could, as 
this was no place for us. There are a great many men here 
sick, but they are being sent away quite fast. 

Wednesday, July i6th. Went out towards evening to 
see the process of embalming two bodies to be sent home.'"' 

Lieut. Phillips wrote on the i6th July from the camp near 
Harrison's Landing : — "We have been spending a fortnight 
in this locality in great peace and quiet compared with the 
fortnight which preceded. We have been stopping here on 
a level plain, baked as hard as a brick in dry weather, and 
as sticky as putty in wet. Yesterday we were mustered 
for pay, and the heat was terrific. Captain Martin's Bat- 
tery was mustered just before we were, and one of his ser 
geants was sun struck. Although we have been mustered 
for pay, we have as yet seen nothing of the Paymaster.. 
By the regulations troops are to be paid off every two 
months, if possible. You see how theory and practice agree 
in this matter. People at home who see regiments march- 
ing off 1000 strong, have no idea of the skeleton regiments 
out here. It was sad enough before the last row, but that 
finished us up. Morell's Division was one of the largest in 
the Army, numbering when filled to the maximum 15,000. 
Before we left Gaines's Hill the regiments had been reduced 
to an average of less than 400 effective men. The Massa- 
chusetts 9th and 22d were quite large, numbering 800 and 
600 men. At Gaines Alills the 22(1 lost 11 officers and 350 
men, at Malvern Hill 75 men. They have now 304 men 



392 HISTORY OF THE 

on their rolls, and of these probably less than 200 are ef- 
fective. There are now with the Regiment 7 officers. 

A great many officers are resigning, and things are in 
pretty bad shape. Strategy of the kind we have had lately 
is all humbug. The Army of the Potomac have fought the 
bloodiest battles of the war, and they have decided nothing. 
Fairoaks may have shown good fighting on the part of our 
soldiers, but beyond killing so many hundred men nothing 
was accomplished. The same may be said of all the battles 
of the Peninsula. As far as loss of life was concerned 
Gaines Mills cost us nearly, if not quite, as much as a suc- 
cessful assault upon Richmond would have done when we 
first arrived, and has cost us immeasurablv more in moral 
effect here and abroad, in time, and money, and all owing 
to the 'slow and sure' policy." 

LETTER OF ACTING SERG'T SPEAR. 

" Harrison's Landing, Va. 

July 17, 1862. 

Some of the men have been put into Captain Weeden's 
Battery, and the rest were put into Captain Martin's. We 
are getting along well, although we have nothing to do, to 
speak of. Some of the men are in the Detachments in 
Martin's Battery, and some do not do any duty. Bill Lap- 
ham has been sent North to a hospital." 

The sick and wounded were sent to various hospitals : 
David's Island Hospital, New York; U. S. Hospital, i6th 
and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia; Convalescent Hospital, 
Alexandria; to Baltimore, to Cumberland, Md., to Fort 
McHenry Hospital; Finley Hospital, Washington, D. C; 
Armory Hospital, Washington, D. C. 

Between February loth, 1862, and December 31st of the 
same year besides the three commissioned officers, as many 
as 32 members of the Battery were discharged for disability. 
Of these 24 were Lieut. Hyde's recruits, and 5 were Lieut. 
Allen's. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 393 



LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

" Harrison's Landing, 

July 1 8, 1862. 

Hyde and Dillingham left yesterday. Their resignations 
took effect on the 12th. Scott and I and the men except 
28 assigned to \\'eeden moved over to Captain Martin's 
camp last Sunday. We act as officers under Martin, taking 
our turn as Officers of the Day, and the men are incorpo- 
rated with his hattery. Nominally the 5th Mass. Battery 
still exists, having its officers and non-commissioned offi- 
cers, and its own muster and pay rolls, but it is a very 
slender existence. I cannot sign a requisition or act in any 
official capacity as commander, and have nothing to do with 
the men." 

Friday July 18, 1862, on account of heavy rains which 
"drowned out the whole camp" and flooded the tent of 
Scott and Phillips, the camp of the Third Mass. Battery 
was moved to a hill near by, and the next day C. D. Bar- 
nard, supposed to have been killed in the battle of Gaines 
Mills, June 27, 1862, came down the river from Richmond 
among other wounded soldiers on board the steamer "Louis- 
iana" with a flag of truce. See p. 358 C. D. Barnard. 

i\mong other changes wrought by time, Captain A. P. 
Martin appeared in his new capacity of Chief of Artillery; 
Captain William B. Weeden having resigned and gone 
home. 

Grows' "Journal" : — "July 20, 1862. Soon after dinner 
Harry Simonds and Joe Knox came over to see me. Had a 
very pleasant time talking with them. They stopped about 
an hour. . . . Some more have died today with the fever. 
A great many are embalmed and sent to their friends." 



394 HISTORY OF THE 



MARTIN'S PROMOTION. 

Hd. Quarters Morell's 
Division, Camp near Harrison's 
Landing, Va. July 24, 1862. 
Special Orders. 
No. 215. 
Captain Augustus P. Martin, Battery C, Massachusetts Artillery, is 
hereby designated as Chief of the Artillery attached to this Division. 
He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
By command of Brig. Gen'l Geo. W. More'll. 

R. T. AUCHMUTY, 

Ass't Adj. Gen'l. 

ENLISTED ABOVE THE NUMBER. 

By Special Order No. 89, Head Ors. 5th Corps, camp 
near Harrison's Landing, Va., July 24, 1862, Thomas B. 
Stantial and James A. Wood, privates in the Fifth Mass. 
Battery, having been enlisted as artificers above the number 
authorized by law and deprived of their positions without 
any fault of their own, are discharged from the military 
service of the United States by command of Brig. Gen'l 
F. J. Porter. 

THE FIFTH ARMY CORPS. 

July 24, 1862, Morell's Division was reviewed by Gen- 
eral Morell preparatory to a grand review the next morn- 
ing of the Fifth Army Corps, Brig. Gen'l F. J. Porter com- 
manding, by General McClellan. 

The term "Provisional" having been dropped on July 22, 
1862, by General Order No. 84 from the War Department, 
the "Fifth Army Corps" was permanently established. 

On the 25th the review by McClellan took place, and in 
the afternoon General Halleck arrived at Harrison's 
Landing. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 395 

LETTER FROM PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Harrison's Landing^ 

July 25, 1862. 

. . . Our camp is pitched in a very pleasant spot on a 
little knoll about a mile from the river. Our tents, that is, 
the officers, are pitched in a line on the crest of the hill, and 
in the same line is our dining-room. This is formed of a 
tent fly surrounded by boughs of trees. An elegant table 
of pine boards occupies the centre, and a number of ammu- 
nition boxes placed around form our seats. We use it for a 
writing apartment, and I am at present in it writing on a 
sheet of paper borrowed from Lt. Walcott [commanding 
Third Mass. Battery] who is writing alongside of me. 
Until lately we were pretty well removed from water, hav- 
ing to go to the river to get it, but a few days ago the 
infantry of the Division who were encamped near by, on 
the edge of the woods, moved down nearer the river, leav- 
ing their wells and springs, which proved quite acceptable. 
Still the water out here is poor at the best, clayey, and tast- 
ing of the swamp. I would give a great deal for a glass of 
pure cold Massachusetts water! . . . All w^ould be very 
well if we could only get some soft bread. We got some 
the other day but it only served to aggravate things. . . . 
I am afraid recruiting is not going on very brisk at home. 
We need more men or more generals or different ones, I 
don't know which. The troops here are gradually gaining 
health and strength, but the officers appear to be backing 
down. General Alartindale has gone home on a furlough 
and has probably resigned. [General Martindale never re- 
sumed this command but was given one near Washington.] 
Butterfield has gone home [on leave]. Kingsbury [Lt. 
Kingsbury of Griffin's Battery] is promoted colonel of 
Conn, nth and everybody else is resigning, going home 
on furlough, or sick leave, or getting cashiered." 



396 HISTORY OF THE 

Grows' "Journar': "Friday, July 25, 1862. Had break- 
fast of coffee and bread. I drank some of it and soon after 
laid down to hear the news read, which was very interest- 
ing. There are only seven of us in a tent now, the rest have 
been discharged. One of the men gets a paper and reads 
to us. Had for dinner some meat and potatoes. I eat the 
potatoes and let the meat alone. After eating I went out 
under the shade of a cherry tree to get cool. The sun is 
very hot, and there is little air. Remained out most of the 
afternoon. Came into the tent about 4^ o'clock and had 
some rice and sugar for a lunch. Took a light smoke. Tea 
was ready at 6. I drank a little and laid down. Had a 
severe night of it." 

GEN'L. PORTER TO GOV. ANDREW. 

Major General Fitz John Porter, commanding Fifth 
Army Corps, Harrison's Landing, Va., July 26, 1862, to 
His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachu- 
setts. 

[Extract.] "It affords me great gratification to express to you my 
admiration for the noble conduct of the troops from your state under 
my command, in the late actions before Richmond. No troops could 
have behaved better than they did, the ninth and 22d Regiments and 
Martin's Battery, and portions of Allen's, or done more to add to our 
success. Their thinned ranks tell of their trials, the brave men lost. 
their heroic dead, and gallant conduct and devotion to their country. 
Their discipline was never excelled, and now with undaunted hearts, 
they await wth confidence of success the order to advance. I hope you 
will be able to send on men to fill their depleted ranks, even in parties 
of ten, as fast as recruited. A few men joining us now gives great 
heart to all men, and adds to our stren^h nearly five times the same 
number in new regiments." 

Grows' "Journal": "Sunday, July 27. 1862. The Doctor 
came around and ordered me to have tea and farina when- 
ever I wanted it. He is a very kind man. 

Church services were held here by the officers of the Hos- 
pital, and the singing did sound splendid. The air is nice. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 397 

and cool enough to make it comfortable. I wrote a letter 
to Lieut. Phillips in regard to my case, and shall send it as 
soon as I can get an opportunity tomorrow, and trust it will 
do some good." 

ENLISTED ABOVE THE NUMBER. 

By command of ]Maj. Gen'l Fitz John Porter Hd. Qrs. 
Morell's Division, July 27, 1862. Special Orders No. 93, 
two privates in the Fifth Mass. Battery, Christopher B. 
Tripp and Charles D. Barnard, having been enlisted as 
artificers above the number authorized by law, and deprived 
of their positions without anv fault of their own, were dis- 
charged from the military service of the United States. 

Grows' "Journal": — "]\Ionday, July 28, 1862, there were 
four steamers in the river with sick and wounded brought 
down from Richmond. They will have good care and treat- 
ment. 

Tuesday, July 29, 1862. Yesterday afternoon we had 
some new cots brought into the tent for us. The nurse put 
them up and I slept nicely last night. Had a little tea for 
dinner, and this was all I could bear. Had some nice tea 
with milk in it for my supper." 

BATTERY QUARTERMASTER. 

Head Quarters Morell's Division, 
Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va. 
July 30. 1862. 
Special Orders. 
No. 222. 

Second Lieut. Henry D. Scott, Battery E, Mass. Artillery, is hereby 
appointed Battery Quarter Master of the Artillery force attached to^ 
this Division. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
By command of Brig. Gen. Geo. W. Morell. 

R. T. AUCIIMUTY, 

Ass't Adj't. Gen'l. 



398 HISTORY OF THE 

ARTILLERY ADJUTANT. 

Head Quarters Morell's Division, 
Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va. 
July 30, 1862. 
Special Orders. 
No. 223. 
Second Lieut. Charles A. Phillips, Battery E, Mass. Artillery, is 
hereby appointed Artillery Adjutant of the Artillery force attached to 
this Division. 

He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
By command of Brig. General Geo. W. Morell. 

R. T. AUCHMUTY, 

Ass't Adjt. Gen'l. 

Lt. Phillips in a letter dated Harrison's Landing, July 31, 
1862, says with reference to his position as adjutant of the 
artillery force attached to General Morell's Division : — ■ 
"This does not interfere with my commission [as lieutenant 
of the 5th Mass. Battery] nor with the reorganization of the 
Battery, but it relieves me from the duties of Officer of the 
Day, and I circulate the orders from Hd. Qrs. with an 
'Official : Charles A. Phillips. Adjutant' added. Scott is 
appointed Quartermaster, so that our Chief of Artillery has 
quite a staff. 

The commissary at last has some soft bread, and we are 
living gayly now. We ha\'e also some vegetables, and 
today we had for dinner, soup with meat, potatoes and des- 
iccated vegetables in it, beets, pickles, soft bread and tea. 
We also had Colonel Ritchie of Governor Andrew's stafT to 
dinner, and he seemed to enjoy the fare. In an interview 
which he had with General Porter, General Porter said that 
the Battery would probably be reorganized as soon as they 
could get the guns." 

AN ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATION. 

The Union fleet extended for two miles above and below 
Harrison's Landing wdien the rebel general Pendleton 
opened fire upon the Union camp and shipping, and the 
Union artillery on shore and in the gunboats replied, after 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 399 

which the enemy returned to Petersburg where they came 
from, and our forces occupied the position and commenced 
constructing earthworks to guard against further surprise. 
An attack on Petersburg w^as contemplated and plans made 
for the destruction of the railroad bridges over rivers, in 
order to cut off connection between Richmond and the 
South. When this plan was carried out the war was over. 

Growls' "Jo'-^i'^'^l ' • — "Thursday July 31, 1862, I got a 
nice dipper of chocolate. 

Friday, Aug. ist. \\^as aw-akened at i o'clock this morn- 
ing by heavy cannonading and the whistling of balls and 
shells. Got up and looked out of the tent. The opposite 
bank of the ri\'er looked on fire with batteries. The rebels 
had, during the darkness of the night, planted several light 
batteries upon the shore and were trying to sink our trans- 
ports. For half an hour the cannonading was awful. Our 
gunboats soon got into position, and in a few minutes 
silenced them. 

A beautiful morning. Have ascertained that the rebels 
did not do much damage. Several shot and shell have been 
dug up this morning. About 10 this forenoon, a poor fel- 
low w^as brought to the Hospital wounded with a piece of 
shell. Have ascertained that 14 of our men (men of our 
Army) were killed during the firing by the rebels: some of 
the Cavalry, Lancers, and a few of the Zouaves. It was a 
surprise and will probably teach our folks a good lesson. 
There are 10 men here, 9 besides the nurse." 

PHILLIPS' VERSION. 

Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va. 

Aug. 2, 1862. 

"Supplies of stationery have been drawn for the adjutant 

of the Artillerv and also for the commander of the Fifth 

Battery. Night before last we had quite a little excitement 

here. About midnight, as we were all sleeping soundly, 



400 HISTORY OF THE 

half a dozen guns suddenly banged away, disturbing the 
silence of the night, and kept up the noise for several hours. 
It was full as noisy as anything at Yorktown. Of course 
this brought us up and out in a very short time, and we 
found that the rebels had planted some field batteries across 
the river, and commenced banging away with perfect loose- 
ness. Some of the shots fell among the infantry of Morell's 
Division, two hitting the tents of the Mass. 32d, who are 
not yet accustomed to this style of thing, and among the 
cavalry encamped near the river, and I presume the vessels 
on the river received an uncomfortable share of attention. 
We were too far off to be troubled and we stood and en- 
joyed the show. I suppose our batteries had something to 
say on the subject, but the affair was mostly noise. Last 
night the houses and woods on the other shore, which had 
sheltered the rebels, were burned, making quite a brilliant 
conflagration, and some of our troops are now sent over to 
the other side every day. 

Lieut. Col. (Arthur F. see p. 37) Devereaux called to 
see me. He seemed to be quite excited at the slowness of 
the enlistments, and like a good many others round here, 
went in for a draft at once. . . . We can now get unlimited 
soft bread of the commissary at 10 cts. a loaf, and with 
onions, beets, potatoes, desiccated vegetables, fresh and salt 
beef and occasional baked beans, we live nretty well. . . . 

Dr. Schell, the surgeon of the Batteries, has arrived, hav- 
ing spent a month among the Rebels. He was in the hospi- 
tal at Gaines Mills and remained after we retreated, and was 
taken prisoner. The rebels kept him at the hospital 
three weeks attending to their wounded. He says the 
rebel loss was at least half as much again as ours. . . . 
Massachusetts is doing right in recruiting the old regiments 
&c. but after this I hope people will see that regiments must 
be contiruiaUy recruited, as long as the war lasts. These 
grand uprisings of the people at a new call for troops may 



FITTH MASS. BATTERY. 401 

be all very well in a moral and ccsthetical point of view, but 
in my opinion are not half so useful as a steady volunteer- 
ing. Still I do not know that we can recruit in any other 
way. I am glad Halleck has been appointed commander- 
in-chief, though I do not know exactly what effect it will 
have. General IMorell has been made a major general. . . . 
Just dined on sardines, stew^ed tomatoes and Scotch ale. 
. . . The contrabands are encamped near the shcn-e here, 
and the way they skedaddled when they found the shells 
falling around their camp was slightly amusing. Artillery 
practice at night is as good as fireworks. . . . Adams Ex- 
press has tons of stuff at Fortress Monroe that they cannot 
bring up the river. They talk of increasing their facilities, 
and I hope they will. As it is now it is rather a matter of 
luck for anything to come through, and the time of trans- 
portation varies exceedingly, from a few days to a few 
months. 

Sunday, Aug 3, 1862. Rainy. Troops moved across the 
river. . . . 

Lull is now I St Sergeant and first in line of promotion, 
and has done more work than any other non-commissioned 
officer in the Battery. Blake will make a good officer, and 
I am glad of his promotion." 

Grows' "J"^i^'"'i^ ' • — '"Saturday, Aug. 2, 1862. General 
McClellan has been looking through the tents for the past 
two days, to see how the sick are, and how they are getting 
along. Several ladies have called to see us, giving cakes, 
lemons. &c. They were from the f steamer) 'S. R. Spauld- 
ing.' 

^Monday, Aug. 4, 1862. The Doctor came round and took 
down my name, to be sent North. About 3 this afternoon 
the Orderly came over with the Rolls for me to sign. Harry 
Simonds came to see me soon after, and bade me good bye. 
About half past 5 this afternoon the order came for me to 
get ready. Tn a short time I was in the ambulance ready for 



402 HISTORY OF THE 

the boat. I soon arrived on board the steamer 'Vanderbilt, 
and was shown to a good berth. After putting my things 
away I had some good beef tea and bread — soon after a 
large cup of tea, and bread with butter. The nurses are very 
kind; all being men, with the exception of three ladies who 
wait on the worst cases. There are many aboard who are 
very sick, and out of their heads (delirious) and they re- 
quire a great deal of watching." 

The President called for 300,000 more men to serve for 
nine months. 

The reinforcements, which the President and General 
Halleck, after their visits to the Army of the Potomac as- 
sured General McClellan should be provided, did not come, 
and August 4, 1862, after McClellan had occupied the posi- 
tion he had secured on the James River for a month, he re - 
ceived orders from General Halleck to proceed to Acquia 
Creek, between Fredericksburg and Washington, thus re- 
linquishing the hope of the capture of Richmond, and of 
assisting in the protection of Washington by holding the 
attention of the enemy, so as not to admit of their detaching 
any large force to attack Washington. 

General McClellan protested. The order was reiterated, 
and the Army of the Potomac, transportation by water to 
Newport News not being convenient, marched to that point. 

FROM A LETTER FROM PHILLIPS. 

"Monday, Aug. 4, 1862. The mail boat leaves here at 9 
o'clock in the morning, but I generall}^ mail my letters the 
evening before, writing them in the daytime. . . . Last 
night we received a notification that the commissary was 
prepared to issue fresh bread to the troops. This will set 
up the sick men in a very short time, and if the army should 
be kept much longer on hard bread and salt beef the men 
would not be good for much. Sickness, I presume incipient 
scurvy, is very prevalent here. Everybody seems to lose 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 403 

all strength. I do not know of anything which set me up 
so much as the tomatoes. From feeling weak and languid 
I became quite lively and strong. . . . The only variety we 
have is in the way of flies, which are very thick and very 
troublesome. The flies here look like the common flies at 
home, but they ha^'e a much more insinuating way with 
them, biting just like mosquitoes. Their quantity, too, is 
perfectly astonishing. The tent is generally full of them, 
not to mention other bugs and creeping and crawding things, 
which abound in great variety. It is quite an occupation 
every evening to catch the bugs and throw them out of 
doors. 

Yesterday (3d Aug.) we had inspection and I turned out 
as usual with INIartin's Battery. . . . Recruits and soldiers 
returned from furlough, come in, a few every day, though 
whether more than enough to make up for the exodus of 
the sick I do not know. There is a little too much of get- 
ting up companies. If men won't recruit without a com- 
mission, send home some of the officers here on recruiting 
service, but do not get up new companies to please the 
vanity of towns and the martial glory of untried men." 



In the following words Napoleon Bonaparte expresses 
similar sentiments : 

'Tt has been said that the victories of the French Repub- 
lic were won by the new volunteers, who were inexperienced 
in war. There could be no greater mistake; they were won 
by the 180,000 old soldiers of the monarchy. You will not 
soon see me going to war with recruits." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Aug. 5, 1862 : Yesterday afternoon some batteries of 
horse artillery went by with forage as if going on a recon- 
noissance, and at midnight we got orders to be ready to 
move at short notice with two davs' rations. So the un- 



404 HISTORY OF THE 

lucky adjutant had to arise, copy the order, and send it to 
the other batteries. This morning there was some artillery 
firing. . . . We were probably put under marching orders 
so as to be ready to support the reconnoissance if necessary. 
. . . Let me explain the two kinds of Light Artillery: — 
'Horse Artillery,' or 'Flying Artillery' has all the can- 
noneers mounted on horseback. In 'Mounted Artillery' — 
the common Light Batteries, — the cannoneers walk or ride 
on the carriages. We are 'Mounted Artillery.' There 
are only a few batteries of 'Horse Artillery' in the service, 
and they are all attached to the Artillery Reserve. They 
are used to manceuvre with cavalry on reconnoissance &:. 
General Stoneman in his flying expeditions uses Cavalry 
and Horse Artillery. The Fifth Battery is not yet re- 
mounted and equipped." 

THIRD MASS. BATTERY. 

Company Orders. 
Harrison's Landing, Va. 
Aug. 5, 1862. 
Lieut. Valentine M. Dunn, having been commissioned as Senior ist 
Lieut., Lieut. Philip H. Tyler as Junior ist Lieut., Lieut. Aaron F. 
Walcott as Senior 2d Lieut., and Sergeant Thomas M. Cargill as 
Junior 2d Lieut, of Battery C, Mass. Art'y, they will at once assume 
command of their respective positions and be respected and obeyed 
accordingly. 

Lieut. Charles A. Phillips, having been commissioned as Senior ist 
Lieut., Lieut. Henry D. Scott as Junior ist Lieut., Sergeant Peleg W. 
Blake as Senior 2d Lieut, of Battery E, Mass. Art'y. they will be 
respected and obeyed accordingly. 

A. P. Martin Capt. 
Battery C, Mass. Art'y. 

Grows' ''Journal" :— "Tuesday Aug. 5, 1862. About 9 
this morning the ambulances began bringing more sick 
aboard. Got filled up about noon and then got ready to 
start as soon as the water is high enough. . . . Got under 
way about 4 o'clock this afternoon, and went down the river. 
The scenery is verv fine. We had a flag of truce flying, and 
the rebels did not fire on us. The other boats, such as the 



TIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 405 

mail and transports, go up and down the river accompanied 
by gunboats. 

Arrived off Fortress Monroe a1)out 8 o'clock in the even- 
ing, and anchored for the night. 

I cannot describe my feelings on beholding this j^lace 
again ! 'Burnside's Fleet' are in Hampton Roads, and the 
several men-of-war. 

On board, six have died since yesterday, and I do not 
know how many are dead in the after cabin. There is one 
|)uor felluw near me, who cannot stand it till morning. 

Wednesday, Aug. 6th. The poor felk)w near where f 
laid un deck, died at I2 last night. Since we started twenty 
have died. About lo this forenoon, we received orders to 
go up the river to Norfolk, and there take in coal and ice 
to last us to Philadelphia. The trip was quite pleasant. 

Passed the old rebel batteries on Sewall's Point; also the 
place where the 'Merrimac' was blown up, and the old U. S. 
Frigate 'United States' burned by the Secesh. I also saw 
Portsmouth, a very fine place. About one o'clock, we 
hauled alongside the wharf, and began taking in coal and 
ice. My goodness, how hot it is ! Got aboard about 40 
tons of coal, and about 5 tons of ice. Wt laid here till 
al)0ut 4 in the afternoon, when we swung off from the 
wharf, and 'steamed up' for the Fort for orders. A nice 
breeze sprung up, and it is very pleasant. Arrived off the 
Fort about half past 6, 'lay off and on' for about an hour. 
Got orders to go to Philadelphia. This was cheering to me, 
knowing that Massachusetts would send for her sick and 
wounded. Soon got under way, passing the Rip Raps, and 
proceeded out to sea by the large 'Light Boat.' It is a fine 
evening, and the stars are beginning to come out. Large 
porpoises jump out of the water and play around the 
steamer. The sea breeze has already begun to revive the 
sick. It does seem good to me ! 

Five more have died, making in all since last Monday 



406 HISTORY OF THE 

night twenty-five, mostly fever cases. They were kept too 
long at the Landing before they were sent away for the 
North, and many, I think, who have died on board would 
have been alive if they had been sent away before." 

PRISONERS EXCHANGED. 

"Aug. 6, 1862. [Chase's Diary, Corporal Chase being 
with the Third Mass. Battery.] Thirty thousand prison- 
ers returned from Richmond; among them Richard Heyes 
and Edward F. Smith of the 5th Mass. Battery, taken pris- 
oners at the battle of Gaines Mills." 



Grows' "Journal": — "Thursday, April 7, 1862. I only 
got about two hours' sleep last night. I laid down on deck. 
Excitement is now keeping me up. About 8 this morning 
passed the capes of Delaware, Cape May and Cape Henlopen, 
and entered the mouth of the river. We are now 100 miles 
from Philadelphia, and expect to get there about 3 this 
afternoon. 

It does look splendid to see the farms on the banks of the 
river, Delaware on one side and Pennsylvania on the other; 
Philadelphia being on the left hand side, going up the river. 
Such neat houses and barns made me for the first time 
realize that I was coming near home. We arrived at 'quar- 
antine' about 3 in the afternoon, and waited some time for 
the Doctor to come aboard before we could go to the city. 
He came at length and in a short time left us, when we pro- 
ceeded up to the city, only 10 miles. 

Arrived at the Pier in about an hour and made fast. 
After waiting almost an hour, everything then being in 
readiness we began to go ashore. 

On landing I once again found myself in the presence of 
a vast throng of white men and women in citizens' dress. 
Some of the ladies grabbed my knapsack, others my can- 
teen, and haversack, and overcoat, offering me tea, coffee. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 407 

cakes, wine, and water etc. I endeavored to get away from 
them, but it was of no use. I took a few cakes and some 
strong tea, and accepted a handkerchief from a young lady 
and started to go ahead, but soon found myself in the hands 
of two ladies, who passed me over to some gentlemen, who 
put me in a carriage to be sent to the Hospital. Such kind- 
ness T can never forget. On the way, a little boy came up 
to the carriage with a lot of nice pears, and threw them in, to 
us. After a drive of an hour we arrived at the Hospitalj 
and I was shown to 'Ward W.' 

Friday, Aug. 8th. At ^ past lo this forenoon the sur- 
geon's call was sounded, and those who were able, got up, 
put on their dressing-gowns and sat in the chair at the end 
of the bed. 

I was greatly astonished to find the Doctor so kind. He 
soon came to my bed and talked with me. He ordered iron 
and lemon juice, and then passed on." 

LETTER FROM LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp at Harrison's Landing, 

Aug. 8, 1862. 

I received a letter from Mayor Taber of New Bedford 
last night, asking me to give him an account of things in 
the Battery, and I am preparing a long memorial on the 
subject. 

Glad to see that Serg't. F. A. Lull has been commissioned 
Junior 2d. Lieutenant. . . . Lull's claims and qualifications 
were so much superior, that I was very much excited at the 
idea of his being overlooked. He is a good hearted, willing, 
and smart man, and will make a good officer." [Lull's 
commission was dated Aug. i, 1862.] 

Grows' "Journal" : — "Saturday, Aug. 9, 1862. The Doc- 
tor came round at the usual hour and ordered me to con- 
tinue with the same medicine. In each w^ard there are two 
men nurses, a ward master, and two Sisters of Charity, 



408 HISTORY OF THE 

and they are very kind, doing a large amount of good in 
relieving the suffering of the men. 

About 8 this evening I was obliged to call the Doctor. 
He grave me some medicine, also some laudanum to make 
me sleep. Had a hard night of it — greatly distressed for 
breath. 

Sunday, Aug. loth. There are 1300 sick to arrive here 
today. Listened to the church bells. It made me feel blue. 
About 3 this afternoon, the sick began to arrive. I sat at 
the end of the ward, looking at them. They looked bad 
enough. Two were brought into my ward, both of them 
speechless, one of them looked dead, he was so far gone. 
The Doctors gave him some wine to revive him, but he 
could not speak, or take any notice. Poor fellow, we do 
not know where he belongs nor who he is." 

FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Sunday, Aug. 10, 1862. No rain, no shade, no clouds, 
but day after day the same hot sun shining down from the 
same cloudless sky on the same parched earth. The heat 
tells on everybody. For the last few nights I have been 
trying to solve the problem how to cover up my head and 
feet with a short blanket, and I invariably give up in despair. 

Our table is set in a rustic arbor, and we have white 
china cups, plates &:c., and unlimited 'contrabands' to tend 
table and keep off the flies. 

We have quite a large mess now : Captain Martin and 
his officers, — Lieutenants Dunn. Tyler, W'alcott and Car- 
gill, — Lieutenants Scott and Blake, and myself. 

One of our men arrived here a day or two ago, discharged 
from hospital at Georgetown and ordered to report here 
for duty, and within 24 hours after his arrival our doctor 
reported him insane, and sent him to the hospital. 

We keep two or three regiments oA-er on the other side, and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 409 

a signal officer who was liere yesterda}- told me that there 
were no signs of the enemy over there. Captain Henry 
Benson, who was wounded the other day at Malvern Hill, 
was the commander of one of the best Horse Batteries in 
the ser\'ice. He was orderly sergeant at Bull Run, and got 
his commission for services there. He was at Hanover 
Court House and annoyed the enemy terribly. 

One of our men picked up a shell thrown across the river 
by the rebels, which must have been taken from us at Gaines 
Mills or afterwards. It was a 3 inch Schenkle shell, which 
had been furnished to us only a few days before the fight. 
We left 15 rounds of these in our limbers, and Weeden left 
about as many more. Not understanding the nature of the 
projectiles the rebels had neglected to arrange the percus- 
sion fuze plug properly, and consequently the shell did not 
explode. 

There is a most intense craving for a variety of food, and 

1 hope our government will not furnish any more such hard 
bread as the men have had to eat for the last six months : 
hard, -tasteless, and indigestible. I think it has killed a 
great many. It seems to' me that Government might -it 
least furnish as good bread as the common ship bread. 
The rebels are wise in this respect. They do not issue any 
hard bread, but serve out flour, and many a captured haver- 
sack has been found full of hot biscuit. 

Sunday afternoon, August loth Seymour's, formerly 
McCall's, Division went across the river. This being the 
other Division of the Corps we supj^osed we should follow. 
Sunday evening we got an order to be ready to march at 

2 p. m. the next day on temporary service, with 5 days' 
rations and forage. 40 rounds of ammunition in cartridge 
boxes, 60 in the wagons. After various conjectures where 
we were going, we came to the conclusion that we were 
going on a reconnoissance to Petersburg. 

The next mornin.g the order was countermanded. I went 



410 HISTORY OF THE 

down to the shore to buy a thin flannel blouse but did not 
succeed. Sutlers, Quartermasters and Commissaries were 
packing up and sending- their things on board steamers and 
schooners. Adams Express has been ordered to bring no 
more packages to Harrison's Landing, and everything looks 
like an evacuation. Meanwhile the weather continues hot 
and we are gradually shrinking away. I weighed myself 
(Aug. nth) and found I had lost 15 pounds since leaving 
Gaines Hill." 

THE BATTERY TEAMS. 

Camp near Harrison's Landing, 
Aug. II, 1862. 
Captain Martin to Capt. Auchmuty A. A. G. 
Capt. Auchmuty. 
Sir. 
I have received orders to turn in 3 teams out of the number with 
which the Batteries are supplied. I beg leave to make the following 
statement in regard to this : — 

There are four batteries in this Division ; one [Captain Allen's] is 
without guns, but the men are mostly here, and the present supply of 
teams — 13 — gives merely three to each Battery and one Hospital team 
loaded exclusively with hospital stores. 

The number of men attached to the Batteries is 477 ; according to 
the regimental allowance of one team for 200 men, it would require 
two and one half teams to carry rations &c. for these men. In addi- 
tion to this we have 5 days' forage for 380 horses to carry, — This being 
the total number of horses actually with the Batteries. This amount 
of forage would weigh 26,100 pounds, and. if the number of teams is 
reduced, as the orders contemplate, we should have but 6j4 teams to 
carry this amount, for which purpose each team would be loaded with 
4,092 pounds, a load which would render it impossible for the teams 
to follow troops in light marching order. 

I respectfully request that under these circumstances, there being 
a full complement of officers and men for four batteries, we may be 
allowed to retain the teams we now have. 
Very respectfully, 

Your ob't. serv't. 

A. P. Martin, Capt. 
Com'd'g Division Art'y. 



Captain Martin was allowed to retain the teams. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 411 

Grows' "Journal": — (Philadelphia) "Monday, Aug. li, 
1862. One of the men brought in yesterday died in the 
night, the other is very low, and has not spoken yet. He 
had watchers all night. 

Tuesday, Aug. 12th. Went to dinner at 12. Mutton 
chops, potatoes, gravy, bread etc. The Doctors tell us to 
eat all we can, and then it will take a great while to get the 
men up."' 

From a letter of Lieut. Phillips: "August 12, 1862. This 
forenoon some gunboats lying near the ordnance wharf 
opened on the opposite shore, bursting their shells some- 
where up among the woods." 

LETTER OF MAYOR TABER OF NEW BEDFORD 

AFTER RECEIVING THE MEMORIAL 

OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Mayor's Office, 
City of New Bedford, 

Aug. 14, 1862. 
Lieut. Chas. A. Phillips. 
Dr. Sir. 
Accept my sincere thanks for your full and frank letter 
of the 8th inst. 

In stating to you that it corroborates in every particular 
a statement I have received, signed by seventy-five of the 
Battery, you can estimate its value to me. Every account 
I have received has been of one tenor. You are probably 
aware of the strong interest I have felt in the welfare of the 
Battery. The majority of its members I am personally 
acquainted with, and know them to be reliable men. who 
would not under any circumstances shirk a duty; brave 
men and hardy. Tell them all that my best exertions shall 
be used for its recuperation. 

In the meantime, I would be pleased to hear from you any 
suggestions you feel inclined to make, and in anything that 



412 HISTORY OF THE 

may tend to restore the confidence of the men, — which ap- 
pears to be unUmited in yon, — or to promote the interests 
of the Battery, command me in any way. 
Very sincerely Yrs. 

I. C. Taber. 
I shall see Gov. Andrew within a few days, and with his 
anthority will endeavor to obtain some recruits." 

LETTER OE THOMAS E. CHASE. 

''Harrison's Landing, James River, Va. 

Aug. 14, 1862. 
I wrote you on the 25th ult., I think, and after I had fin- 
ished my letter I found that my last stamp was a i cent one, 
and I could not beg, borrow, or steal one, so I sent it with- 
out a stamp, signed by our Lieutenant, as I frequently do. 
Perhaps it did not reach you. Myself and 25 others are 
with the 3d Mass. Battery, but when Captain Allen comes, 
we expect to be reorganized. The Captain will, if possible, 
return on the 26th instant. . . . The Army, or portions of 
it are preparing to leave the Peninsula, and our knapsacks 
were taken from us last Sunday, and our tents, with the 
knapsacks, are already on ship-board. Where we are going 
we know not. . . . The weather is scorching hot and the 
'light weights' are in great danger of being carried off by 
the mosquitoes. They are well drilled and make furious 
charges and make night hideous with their infernal buz- 
zing." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FROM HARRISON'S LANDING TO ACQUIA 
CREEK. 

THE BATTLE OF SECOND MANASSAS OR SEC- 
OND BULL RUN. 
August 30, 1862. 

"But north looked the Dictator ; 
North looked he long and hard." 

— Lord Macaulay. 

THE RELIEF OF MAJ. GEN. JOHN POPE. THE PROTECTION 

OF WASHINGTON. 

Thev were ten days getting- ready to move, and on Au- 
gust 14th, 1862, at 5 p. m. the Army was set in motion, 
Porter's Corps marching to WilHamsburg, halfway between 
Yorktown and the Chickahnminy River, according to or- 
ders there to await the arrival of tlie next Corps. 

All superfluous baggage had been packed up and ]mt on 
board a schooner, and on Thursday, August 14th, just after 
supper, Scott, Phillips, Chase and others being with the 
Third Mass. Battery, orders were received to get ready to 
start immediately, so they hitched up, packed up, and waited 
till about 10.30 p. m. when they moved forward parallel 
with the river towards Fortress Monroe. 

"By midnight," wrote Phillips, "the Division had got 
stretched out on the road and we halted in a jam. I lay 
down on a limber, with my reins in my hands, and got what 
sleep I could. 

At 3 in the morning of the 15th the column again started. 
Sykes was ahead of us. The v;eather was beautiful and 
cool, the road was very good, and the Provost Guard not 

413 



414 HISTORY OF THE 

being such an institution as formerly the corn fields which 
were abundant, were pretty well stripped. At every halt 
fires were lighted and ears of corn roasted. Peaches were 
plenty but not ripe. There were tomatoes enough to fur- 
nish at least one meal a day, and on the whole we lived well. 
About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we crossed the Chicka- 
hominy, near its mouth, on a pontoon bridge over seven 
hundred yards long, and camped a mile from the shore." 

This pontoon bridge, it has been said, surpassed in con- 
struction, skill and capacity, anything that had been at- 
tempted in the annals of military bridge building. 

On August i6, 1862, news was received at Porter's Head 
Quarters, that the main body of the enemy was moving 
north, intending to crush Pope before McClellan could 
come to his relief, and to proceed directly to Washington. 
General Porter sent this information to McClellan, and re- 
ported that, unless otherwise ordered, he would leave Wil- 
liamsburg at 4 a. m. August 17th without waiting for the 
arrival of the next Corps; would complete the march to 
Newport News, and hasten to General Pope's relief. This 
he did, and in pursuance of this plan, the Division moved on 
the 1 6th, passed through Williamsburg and camped at 5 
p. m. close by Fort Magruder, about half a mile outside the 
city. 

Only the Fifth Corps went to Acquia Creek, the remain- 
der of the Army of the Potomac went directly to Alexan- 
dria, Va. seven miles from Washington. 

On Sunday, Aug. 17th, Porter's Division marched at 7 
a. m. and encamped within a mile of Big Bethel. "Reached 
Yorktown (Chase's Diary) at i p. m. and made coffee at 
our old camp ground of April 5, 1862." 

Phillips refers to this revisiting of old scenes in the fol- 
lowing words: — "As we passed through Yorktown I rode 
into our old camp. Everything was changed. Grass and 
weeds growing everywhere. My bedstead still remained. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 415 

and the grove around our tents. My chair was gone. The 
house that we built at Wormley's Creek was all gone, the 
^uins of the chimney still remaining." 

The same day they marched three miles beyond Howard's 
Mills and camped, reaching Newport News on the i8th and 
eoing into park about 1.30 p. m. "A bath in salt water" 
^^^rites Chase, "was a luxury enjoyed by some." 

Meanwhile the sick and wounded waited in the Hospitals. 

Grows' ''J*'^!"''^^" • — "Sunday, Aug. 17, 1862, (Phila- 
delphia.) Prof. \\\ B. Rogers of Boston, came into the 
ward with his brother who is our surgeon. He talked with 
me, took my name, and residence when at home. He starts 
for Boston tomorrow, and will attend to my being trans- 
ferred to a Massachusetts hospital. Divine service was 
held this afternoon, but I did not attend, not feeling able." 

Chase in a letter of the iSth says his health is "tip top." 

Tuesday the 19th, at 7 a. m.. the Fifth Corps marched 
to Hampton, and taking the three batteries of the Division 
and Thompson's Battery of the Artillery Reserve on board 
the "City of Norwich," hauled into the stream off Fortress 
Monroe. In the morning of the 20th they sailed up Chesa- 
peake Bay towing two schooners and three barges, bound 
for Acquia Creek, Va., a point of advantage between Fred- 
ericksburg and \\'ashington, and anchored that night in the 
Potomac River. 

On Thursday, August 21st, they landed at Acquia Creek, 
and with relation to the accommodations, Lt. Phillips 
writes : "the Colonel commanding the Post taking compas- 
sion upon us, we spread our blankets on his office floor, and 
slept there all night." 

On Friday, Aug. 22d, about 5 p. m., leaving Waterman's 
Fourth. R. I. Battery, which included the 30 members of the 
Fifth Mass., at Acquia Creek, the Third Mass. Battery and 
its contingent marched 8 or 10 miles beyond, towards Fred- 



416 HISTORY OF THE 

ericksburg, Va., which is 55 miles from Washington, and 
about equidistant from that city and Richmond. 

They camped on the road. 

On Saturday, August 23d, General Porter started his 
command in a southerly direction at daybreak, and marched 
to Falmouth on the opposite bank of the Rappahannock 
River from Fredericksburg. Here they stopped to rest until 
4 p. m., and during the interval Lieut. Phillips called upon 
General Ambrose E. Burnside, and went over to Fredericks- 
burg. See p. 443 Burnside. 

In the afternoon, the march was resumed for 10 miles 
towards Culpeper Court House, Va., on the Orange and 
Alexandria railroad, 69 miles from Washington and 12 
miles north of the Rapidan River. The roads were very 
hilly and rocky, and crossed frequently by beautiful little 
brooks. They camped near Deep Run. The next day, 
August 24th, was Sunday. In the Hospital, at Philadel- 
phia, Grows wrote in his journal : "About 3 this afternoon 
Surgeon Dr. Hays came through the ward for inspection, 
which lasted a 'short time. A Doctor was buried 'under 
arms' this afternoon. There are not many deaths here 
now." 

In camp by Deep Run reveille sounded at dayliglit. The 
Third Battery marched in company with Sykes's Division to 
Culpeper Court House, hearing reports of rebels ahead be- 
tween them and General Morell's Division : countermarched 
about one and a half miles, recrossing Deep Run, and went 
'Tn Battery" on the brow of a small hill behind Regular 
Battery D, 5th U. S. (Griffin's). "Changed positions" 
(Chase's Diary) "with Battery D, about 11 a. m." 

Lt. Phillips speaks of the battle array as "making a most 
formidable appearance spread over the hills." At 3.30 the 
Battery again limbered up and for the third time that day 
marching over the same road, joined Morell's Division. 

Grows' Journal: — "Aug. 25, 1862. (Philadelphia.) 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 417 

Orders came today for none of the men to be allowed 
'passes' till after the ist of September, and this makes it 
very hard, as many of the men have families living here 
in the city." 

The evolutions of August 25th were much the same, the 
Third ]Mass. Battery starting out at 6 a. m. They marched 
a mile, halted till 12 o'clock, turned round, marched back, 
and camping on the same ground they left, remained there 
that day. 

And here is the first mention of the restoration of the 
guns to the Fifth Mass. Battery, all that was lacking to 
place it upon its former footing in the army. Lieut. Phil- 
lips wrote home in a letter dated "Vicinity of Deep Run or 
Barrett's Ford, or somczclicre" : — "General Burnside is 
rather interested in the Fifth Battery, and I think I shall get 
some guns pretty soon." 

On Tuesday, Aug. 26th, at 3 a. m., reveille was sounded, 
and they marched with the Division to Kelly's Ford, about 
9 miles from Deep Run and 12 miles atove Barrett's Ford. 
Lieut. Phillips put one section on picket, and sent Lieut. 
Scott and three wagons to Falmouth for forage. Heavy 
cannonading was heard in front. The next day they 
marched past Bealton to Warrenton Junction. 

MET POPE AND GOING NORTH. 

It was on August 27th, 1862, at 10 o'clock a. m. that 
General Porter joined General Pope at Warrenton Junction 
on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, 48 miles from 
Washington. General Pope finding his Right turned by 
General Ewell, had fallen back towards Warrenton, where 
he was joined by General Joseph Hooker. Overtaking the 
rebels under Ewell at Haymarket a severe fight ensued, ter- 
minating at night in the defeat of the enemy. On that day 
the Federal gunboats destroyed the rebel works at City 
Point, Va. 



418 HISTORY OF THE 



THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 

The first battle of Manassas or Bull Run was fought July 
21, 1 86 1, and the Union troops under McDowell were de- 
feated by the Confederates under Beauregard. The stream 
called Bull Run was described at the time as a mere rivulet, 
dry in many places, but containing from four to six feet of 
water in the channel after heavy rains. It extends for about 
six miles north and south, and is crossed by the Manassas 
railroad. A Confederate battery which made great havoc 
among our troops was situated on a slight eminence in a 
ravine on the west side of the Run. 

The only places besides the fords at intervals of a mile 
or two, where the stream could be crossed, were three 
bridges, viz., a stone structure, over which passes the War- 
renton turnpike; a wooden bridge at Blackburn's Ford 
seven miles below, on the direct road from Centreville to 
Manassas; and a mile or so below this, the bridge by which 
the Orange and Alexandria Railway is carried over Bull 
Run. Three miles beyond Bull Run is Manassas Junction 
where the rebels had intrenched themselves, the stream 
itself forming a defensive line eight miles in length from 
the Stone Bridge to the railroad; the wooded slopes of the 
hills furnishing masks for batteries. Sudley's Ford across 
Bull Run was two or three miles above Stone Bridge. 

The battlefield of Manassas or Bull Run, is 34 miles from 
Washington, about four miles from the railroad station at 
the junction of the Orange and Alexandria and Manassas 
Gap railroads. 

"Aug. 28, 1862. (Chase's Diary.) Reveille at 1.30 
a. m. Left camp about 3 a. m. Marched half an hour and 
halted an hour for troops to pass; halted near the railroad 
cars. Saw the ruins of a train burned by the rebels the 
night of August 26th. Heavy cannonading heard in fronl 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 419 

p. ni. Marched to Bristoe Station, reaching- there at 
I p. m." 

The night of the 28th Sigel's command was just south 
of the Warrenton turnpike, the portion running- from 
Gainesvihe to Centrevihe, part on the left near Newmarket, 
the remainder near the junction of the turnpike and Sud- 
ley Springs road at Groveton. Kearney was at Centrevihe. 
Heintzeh-nan was with Hooker at Bull Run. Porter was at 
Bristoe. Part of McDowell's Corps had contested unsuc- 
cessfully the passage of Longstreet through Thoroughfare 
Gap in the Bull Run Mountains, through which passes the 
Manassas Gap R. R. from the country west of the Blue 
Ridge Mountains, through Manassas Gap and Thorough- 
fare Gap, to ]\Ianassas Junction, and part had been engaged 
with the enemy near Groveton. 

Banks with his Corps was guarding the army trains at 
Bristoe. 

On the rebel side, Longstreet was encamped at the foot 
of the mountain, on the eastern slope, having passed througli 
Thoroughfare Gap. 

On the morning of the 29th of August, the position was 
as follows : — The rebel general Jackson had marched round 
Pope's right flank, gained his rear, captured large supplies 
at Manassas, cut his railroad communication by the 
Orange and Alexandria R. R. with Washington, and was 
awaiting the arrival of other rebel forces under Lee on the 
old battlefield of Bull Run. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery men with the Third Mass. Bat- 
tery left camp at 6.30 a. m. when the advance met the 
enemy. They opened one or more batteries on our troops 
but fired slowly. Our batteries and infantry were placed in 
position to give the enemy battle. "We marched," wrote 
Phillips, "to Manassas Junction, then up the Manassas Gap 
R. R. towards Thoroughfare Gap, and Morell's Division 
formed line of battle on the hills in a splendid position, our 



420 HISTORY OF THE 

pickets being within hearing distance of Thoroughfare Gap, 
and hearing the Rebel troops passing. Our infantry was 
formed in plain sight and the rebels opened a battery on 
them, killing one or two. The infantry then retired under 
cover and Hazlett's Battery [5th U. S. Battery D. Lt. 
Charles E. Hazlett] shelled a little. While I was expecting 
an attack on our part I learned it was proposed to retire as 
we came. However, after commanding and countermand- 
ing we stayed there that night." 

On August 30, 1862, at half past three in the morning, 
Major General Fitz John Porter received from Major Gen- 
eral John Pope orders, written in the field on the previous 
evening at 8.50, to march his command immediately to the 
field of battle of that day, and to report to him in person 
for orders. 

"You are to understand," so ran the despatch, "that you 
are expected to comply strictly with this order, and to be 
present on the field wuthin three hours after its reception, or 
after daybreak tomorrow morning." 

To reach the field within three hours after the reception 
of the orders at 3.30 a. m. would be before half past six, but 
daylight came so soon after that Porter, in order to obey 
instructions, was obliged to make a flank movement with 
his entire force in the presence of the enemy. Orders com- 
ing to Morell from Porter to lose not a moment in carrying 
out these instructions, Morell issued his orders to his com- 
mand, and at the head of Grififin's Brigade which Martin's 
Battery followed, took the direct road to Centreville. 

General Pope was at Groveton. It is said that Morell's 
caution and circumspection with reference to Grifiin's 
Brigade, waiting till he had called in his skirmishers, caused 
him to lose sight of the rest of his Division, and in going to 
Centreville he supposed he was following Sykes according 
to instructions, but Sykes had gone to Groveton. Orders 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 421 

were sent to Morell on the Gainesville road which of course 
did not reach him. 

General Porter reported to General Pope as directed, and 
placed his Corps north of the Warrenton turnpike near the 
Dog-an house, facing toward the west. Next him was Sigel, 
then Reno, then Heintzelman. Ricketts and King were in 
reserve. South of the Warrenton pike was Reynolds' 
Division. Sykes occupied a corn field in front of the Dogan 
house on both sides of the Warrenton road. Morell's Divi- 
sion was on the right of Sykes. Immediately in front and 
to the left of Reynolds w^as rising ground covered with tim- 
ber and scrub oak. On Porter's right front was a forest, 
and between the two was cleared ground a half mile in ex- 
tent, across which was an elevated ridge occupied by the 
enemy's artillery commanding this cleared space and the 
turnpike, and in a position to concentrate a direct flank fire 
upon our forces in case we made the attack. The enemy's 
forces were concealed; the Union forces were in plain sight 
of the enemy. 

It appears that it had been the design of General Pope 
on tlie day before to possess himself of the coverts provided 
by these forests, but his efforts were unsuccessful, resulting 
in much loss; his only gain being the knowledge, too dearly 
bought, that the rebel general Jackson was present in large 
force especially on the Left, and that he had the advantage 
at the north of a railroad embankment to add to the strength 
of his position. It is said that General Porter learned at 
General Pope's headquarters, that the eft'orts of the 29th 
had been mainly a series of skirmishes, artillery contests at 
long range, and a few attacks, after strong protests and 
delay, by Brigades and separate Divisions resulting in re- 
piihes and heavy losses. 

Between 12 and i p. m. of the 30th, Porter was ordered to 
push forward on the Warrenton turnpike to be followed by 
King and Revnolds, while the Division of Ricketts would 



422 HISTORY OF THE 

pursue the Haymarket road followed by the Corps of General 
Heintzelman. The cavalry was to be assigned by General 
McDowell. 

Orders from McDowell directed Porter : — 

"Organize a strong advance to precede your command, and push on 
rapidly in pursuit of the enemy until you come in contact with hun. 
Report frequently. Bayard's brigade will be ordered to report to you: 
push it well to the left as you advance." 

Reynolds and Porter, it is affirmed, were confident that 
the enemy with numerous artillery were massing their 
forces on the left. 

General McDowell believed the enemy was retreating 
when they had merely withdrawn from the Right in order 
to concentrate on our Left. 

General Porter prepared for a strong attack, which But- 
terfield supported by Sykes commenced at 3 p. m.. charging 
across the open field nearly to the woods, hoping to sweep 
round to the left and take the guns of the enemy, but were 
repelled by musketry fire on the right and front, and an in- 
cessant cross fire of artillery. They held their ground 30 
minutes assisted by Hazlett's Battery. 

General Porter had desired the help of Sigel; he again 
asked for it after Butterfield's repulse, but the necessity was 
comprehended too late. The enemy was in a position to 
sweep the entire ground, over which the Fifth Corps had to 
pass, W'ith its numerous artillery, and its musketry protected 
by the railway embankment, and four desperate attacks, 
most gallantly made, were repulsed, in the attempt to take 
the embankment, our men being fired upon by many with 
stones, time being too pressing to admit of loading firearm'^. 
The rebel general Longstreet attempted to cut the Union 
troops ofif from the turnpike by pressing upon Warren on 
our Left. 

Porter's attack with proper support might have broken 
Jackson's line but with the terrible fire from the enemy's 
guns it was madness to continue, and the order was given 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 423 

to retire to the plateau in the rear of the Henry and Robin- 
son houses which commanded the Stone Bridge over Bull 
Run, which was saved. It was at the Henry house on the 
right of the turnpike that General Morell joined the ist 
Division having ridden from Centreville. 

Weeden's Fourth R. I. Battery, Captain Richard Water- 
man commanding, in which were thirty of our Fifth Mass. 
Battery men, took position on the heights near the Warren- 
ton turnpike, commanding the field, over which Butterfield 
was to advance to the attack. One section, the remainder 
staying on the hill at the Henry house, advanced later to 
within canister range of the woods, but returned soon after 
and fired shrapnell at the enemy's infantry in the edge of the 
woods, limbering up to fall back with the infantry. (Sigel.) 
Subsequently they went into position on the top of Bull 
Run Hill, covering the charge on the Left of our lines, 
and at 7.30 p. m. moved with the Anny to Centreville. 

Louis E. Pattison served as cannoneer throughout the 
campaign. 

The Adjutant General's Report of the state of Rhode 
Island, 1865, in its casualties gives "one man wounded." 

It is recorded in the official reports of the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the state of Massachusetts, that the Fourth R. I. 
Battery was engaged in the Second Battle of Bull Run, and 
"one of the men of the Fifth (Mass.) Battery was 
wounded." 

The name of this soldier was Francis Oldis, and he was 
taken to Washington, D. C, and placed with the wounded 
in "Ward P" of the Armory Hospital. He subsequently 
rejoined the reunited Fifth Mass. Battery. 

NOTES OF LOUIS E. PATTISON. 

Nov. 2, 1 90 1. 

"Only one section of the Fourth R. 1. Battery went into 
action on the Bull Run field. The whole battery went into 



424 HISTORY OF THE 

position when Longstreet was coming- throug-h the Gap, hut 
my recollection is that no shots were fired. On the next 
day on the old Bull Run field, General Sigel ordered Captain 
Waterman to proceed to a position near the R. R. cut, and 
Captain Waterman replied that he must have orders from 
General Porter. Sigel replied angrily that Porter could 
fight his men, and he would fight his own, and you can 
readily see why our forces were unsuccessful." 



The Captain called for volunteers from the Left and 
Centre sections to help man the Right section to go into 
action near the R. R. cut, and Sergt. William B. Pattison 
and his brother Louis E. Pattison of the Fifth Mass. Bat- 
tery volunteered to go with the Right section into action. 

Lieut. Richard Waterman in command of the battery was 
promoted to captain July 25th, 1862, receiving his commis- 
sion in the field. 

Colonel J. Albert Monroe of the ist Rhode Island Light 
Artillery of which the "Fourth" was "Battery C," says, in 
a paper published by the Soldiers and Sailors Historical 
Society of Rhode Island : — 

"Our northern historians when it has been necessary to mention the 
artillery, have not been so painstaking [reference to the Southerners 
who mentioned them with great accuracy] and have generally only 
incidentally mentioned that 'a battery' here or there did so and so, 
ignoring entirely what particular battery it was, or who commanded it, 
unless it was a regular battery, and in that case it is designated by its 
commanding officer's name. The exceptions are comparatively few, and 
they seem to be accidental, rather than intentional!" 

He observes, 

"the' marked contrast between the honorable mention of infantry and 
cavalry with that of light artillery batteries." 

Having by long and careful reading been impressed w-ith 
the justice of this criticism, pains have been taken in the 
present work to make conspicuous the well authenticated 
movements of the light artillery, to give the complete official 
designations of the batteries, and whenever thev are called 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 425 

by the names of their commanders, the full name is given 
at the first mention. 

Anxiously the men in the hospitals north and south were 
looking for news on that day. Grows wrote in his journal : 
''Saturday, Aug. 30, 1862. (Philadelphia.) Got the papers 
to see about the Army. The news is not very encouraging, 
but still we all hope for the best." 

Lt. Phillips's notes of the event now before us contain 
the following observations : — 

"Saturday. Aug. 30, 1862, we began to retire at 3 a. m. 
Griffin's Brigade and Martin's Battery forming the rear 
guard. I waited till the pickets were all drawn in, and the 
troops gone, but no rebels appeared. 

AT CENTREVILLE. 

Returning to the Junction we marched up the railroad, 
forded Bull Run and went into park near Centreville with 
Griffin's brigade, the rest of the Di\ision having got out of 
sight and hearing. Some cannonading was going on, but 
this was too common to excite attention. We started a 
plum dufif, but before it was finished we got orders to hitch 
up and started for Bull Run, — finally going on across Bull 
Run. By dark we reached Stone Bridge, Franklin's forces 
marching with us. Here we found our troops retiring, and 
halted till General Franklin ordered us to return, and we 
camped in Centreville about midnight. Butterfield's and 
Martindale's brigades badly cut up. Fletcher Webster re- 
ported killed." 

From the Notes of Corporal Chase of the 5th Mass. then 
with the 3rd Mass. Battery: — "August 30, 1862. Hitched 
up at 4 a. m. and relieved Battery D, 5th U. S. (Hazlett's) 
in front, and remained in position half an hour, then left for 
Centreville, Va. Reached Centreville at 1 1 a. m. Caissons 
sent to the rear this morning. Saw about 150 prisoners at 



426 HISTORY OF THE 

Centreville. Hitched up at 5 p. m. and started to reinforce 
the troops in front; advanced about a mile and a half to the 
front when we met teams and wounded soldiers coming to 
the rear. In a short time the whole army appeared to be 
retreating in the wildest confusion. For about three hours 
the troops both able and disabled continued to pass us; 3rd 
Mass. Battery countermarched and camped on heights at 
Centreville." 

Captain Waterman's battery moved by order of General 
Morell from Centreville, on the morning of August 31st 
towards Alexandria, to procure forage for the horses, they 
being in a very exhausted state, not having had any grain 
for five days. It moved as far as Fairfax Court House and 
encamped; three of the horses having dropped dead from 
exhaustion as the battery moved into camp. In front of the 
Third Battery cannonading was heard, and the smoke seen. 
Hacks were arriving from Washingfton to remove the 
wounded. The Battery advanced about an eighth of a mile 
to the front about 11 a. m., and went "In Battery" sup- 
ported by a large force of infantry. Several lines of battle 
formed and skirmishers were thrown out, remaining in 
position all day and night, but all remained quiet until late 
in the evening, when the advance batteries began to shell the 
woods, and the pickets and skirmishers fired several volleys 
of musketry. Generals Pope and INIcDowell passed the Bat- 
tery in the evening. No mail was received, no newspapers, 
and all interest seemed to be centred in the wagons which 
had been sent to Alexandria and Falmouth for supplies 
which were sorely needed, when the alarming news reached 
the waiting lines, so advantageously placed upon the hills 
of Centreville. that the enemy was between the Army of thc- 
Potomac and Washington ! 

Soon after the first battle of Bull Run the Richmond 
Whig of July 24, 1 86 1, published the following under the 
head-line of "The Devoted Band" : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 427 

"The shortest path to peace is that which carries havoc and desola- 
tion to our invaders. It is believed that there are five or ten thousand 
men in the South ready and willing to share the fate of Curtius and 
devote themselves to the salvation of the country. It is proposed that 
all who are willing to make this sacrifice, shall arm themselves with a 
sword, two five shooters and a carbine each, and meet, on horseback, at 
some place to be designated, convenient for the great work in hand. 
Fire and sword must be carried to the houses of those who are visit- 
ing those blessings upon their neighbors. Philadelphia, and even New 
York, is not beyond the reach of a long and brave arm. The moral 
people of these cities cannot be better taught the virtues of invasion, 
than by the blazing light of their own dwellings. None need apply for 
admission to 'The Devoted Band' but those who are prepared to take 
their life in their hand, and who would indulge not the least expecta- 
tion of ever returning. They dedicate their lives to the destruction of 
their enemies. 

A. S. B. D. B. 

Richmond. 

.•\11 Southern papers are requested to eive this notice a few inser- 
tions." 

Now, after a year had passed, and another Bull Run bat- 
tle had been fought, the "long- and brave arm" was actually 
stretching out its hand very near indeed to Washington, 
with the index finger pointing to Baltimore. 

A few miles northwest of Fairfax Court House, Kearny 
was desperately opposing its force at Chantilly, where he 
made the gallant dash which cost him his life. 



"THE SYMBOLS OF GOVERNMENT." 

Hunger and fatigue so lately controlling emotions, passed 
out of mind. Chagrin at the second failure at Manassas 
lost its sharpest sting in the actual presence of the peril 
which had so long threatened the citadel which held the 
"symbols of government," the treaties and seals, for the 
safety of which Edwin M. Stanton then Buchanan's attor- 
ney general, had trembled, long before tlie first rebel gun 
was fired. 



428 HISTORY OF THE 

THE PROTECTION OF WASHINGTON. 

General McClellan wrote General Porter September i, 

1862, 5.30 p. m. :— 

"This week is the crisis of our fate. Say the same thing to all my 
friends in the Army of the Potomac, and that the last request I have to 
make of them is, that for their country's sake they will extend to Gen- 
eral Pope the same support they ever have to me. I am in charge 
of the defenses of Washington." 

At the close of General Porter's acknowledgment of this 
letter, he said : — 

"Our killed, wounded, and enfeebled troops attest our devoted 
duty." 

It was McClellan who disposed the troops around Wash- 
ington, placing the Fifth Corps on Hall's Hill. Not being 
able to procure either rations or forage, the Fourth R. I. 
Battery moved on the ist of September to within five miles 
of Alexandria, where part of one day's rations of grain 
was secured. 

"The morning of that day," Chase wrote, "was cloudy 
and windy. Guns of the Third Mass. Battery still 'in Bat- 
tery.' Went with horses, for hay, about a mile, with sev- 
eral regiments of infantry and a section of a battery for 
protection against guerillas, a. m. Thunderstorm with cold, 
heavy rain at 5 p. m. Left position about 12 p. m." 

Phillips says of this tempest, "It began to rain just after 
we had got orders to be ready to move and had struck our 
tarpaulins. I lay down with my overcoat on, on a wet pile 
of hay, and tried to persuade myself that I was not wet 
through, but did not succeed." On that day (Sept. ist) he 
afterwards wrote, "there was something of a fight. I have 
learnt no particulars." 

THE EXPEDITION OF LT. SCOTT. 

The historian of the Third Mass. Battery thus describes 
the expedition for rations [see p. 417] in charge of Lt. 
Henry D. Scott : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 429 

"Our army started to re-enforce General Pope's army 
then at Centreville. 

General Lee was advancing to meet General Pope. The 
artillery brigade carried ten days' rations from Falmouth 
then the base of supplies. When out twenty miles they had 
used seven days' rations. Captain Augustus P. Martin, 
chief of the Fifth Corps Artillery, sent eighteen wagons 
belonging to the batteries of the Artillery Brigade in charge 
of Lt. Scott of the Fifth Mass. Battery back to Falmouth 
for rations. John D. Reed of the Third Mass. (Battery) 
was ordered to report to him as his assistant. 

They started at four o'clock in the afternoon, run within 
four miles of the ration depot and went into park at nine 
o'clock : started at daylight for the depot. Met an extra 
supply train at Falmouth Heights loaded with rations for 
the Fifth Corps : 75 wagons. We loaded our train with 
forage and as soon as possible started for the batteries. . . . 
Orders to hurry along and reach the army at Bealton before 
dark 29 miles from there. Rebel cavalry had crossed the 
river 25 miles above. General Burnside had returned from 
Newbem, N. C, and with a part of his army was encamped 
at Fredericksburg and Falmouth. There were several hun- 
dreds of w^agons on the road. An orderly on the dead run 
ordered the trains to turn back. The enemy had captured 
over three hundred wagons, and destroyed the telegraph 
station three miles up the road. 

The Fifth Cori)s supply train that we met was amono 
those captured. 

W^e were then 15 miles from Falmouth, halfway between 
the Army of the Potomac and General Burnside. About 
dark a cavalry force and a flying artillery battery were sent 
out by General Burnside for our pmtection. At 12 o'clock 
at night we arrived inside the picket line at Falmouth, men 
and animals played out. At daylight started for Acquia 
Creek, arriving there at noon. A rebel battery followed us 



430 HISTORY OF THE 

and at intervals shelled the train. The wagons and mules 
were loaded on steamers and sailed for Alexandria. When 
we arrived there the army was retreating back from Second 
Bull Run. The batteries camped at Upton's Hill, where we 
reached them with the forage six days after starting for it. 
The horses in the batteries had been four days without 
grain or hay, having only that which they could graze in 
the fields." 

The trains of stores which were collected at Warrenton 
and Warrenton Junction, and were at Bristoe, Sept. i, 1862, 
were stopped at that place on account of the bridge at 
Bristoe having been destroyed by the rebels. Sept. 2d, the 
Fourth Rhode Island Battery moved to Alexandria. 

Gen. McClellan was appointed to the command of the 
troops for the defence of Washington. 

From about 12 o'clock midnight, September ist, the Third 
Mass. Battery marched to sunrise of the morning of the 2d, 
going three-quarters of a mile from the bivouac of the pre- 
vious day. They marched with a large body of troops — 
among them General Piatt and Battery H, ist Ohio Artillery, 
who joined them on the route having been attached to the 
Division, — and a large baggage train, to Fairfax Court 
House, where they halted about 11 a. m. for breakfast. 
Here Lt. Scott met them having come from Alexandria. 
Marched again at 2 p. m. : halted on the way while skirmish- 
ers were thrown out and line of battle formed : waited about 
an hour and a half, then proceeded : the rear guard attacked 
and heavy cannonading heard. John G. Sanford and 
Thomas E. Chase were obliged to straggle in the rear with 
disabled horses. In the evening the Battery arrived at 
Chain Bridge. On the 3d of' September the Fourth Rhode 
Island Battery marched to Miner's, near Hall's, Hill, and 
rejoined the Division. All other divisional batteries had 
remained with the commands. 

Chase and Sanford, minus one horse etc., found the Third 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 431 

Mass. Battery after much trouble on the morning of the 3cl. 
Thev hitched up at 9 a. m., marched to Hall's Hill, Va., with 
other troops and camped in the old camp of the Mass. 22d. 
Regiment. Rickett's Division was occupying Captain Mar- 
tin's old camp. 

Lt. Phillips closes a letter with the words : — 

"I went down to our old camp and looked around. 

'The King of France with 40,000 men 
Marched up the hill and then marched down again.' " 

SCOTT'S SUMMING UP. 

Lt. Scott thus comments on the situation: — "The enemy 
got tired waiting for McClellan to decide what to do, and 
started for Washington. The Army of the Potomac was 
ordered by the President to the protection of that city. The 
feeling of McClellan and his admirers seemed to be that 
they wanted to get General Pope, who was guarding Wash- 
ington, driven into the Potomac. 

The Army moved at once to Hampton, and were trans- 
ported to Acquia Creek, moving to Fredericksburg and 
from there to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock to assist 
Pope. The final result was that Lee drove both armies on 
to Washington." 



CHAPTER XIV. 
THE BATTERY REUNITED. 

"The great art of war consists in knov/ing how to separate in order 
to subsist, and how to concentrate in order to fight." 

— Napoleon Bonaparte. 

THE FIFTH MASS. BATTERY REUNITED AND 
REINSTATED. 

Re-assigned to the First Division. 
5TH Army Corps. 

On September 3d, 1862, the enemy was no longer to be 
seen in front of Washington, but was far on its way north,, 
and McClellan, with all the troops not needed in Washing- 
ton, was in pursuit. 

Our pickets having been driven in, about 4 p. m. of the 
4th, the Third Mass. Battery hitched up and marched witli 
the whole infantry force towards Falls Church, Va., to meet 
the enemy. "Marched about three-quarters of a mile 
(Chase's Diary), then countermarched with the other 
troops to our camp; the enemy who had but a small force. 
withdrew after a few shots from their batteries. — Counter- 
sign 'Yorktown 5th.' — [Other countersigns given on p. 797 
contributed by General A. P. Martin, November, 1899.] 

Grows' Journal: "Sept. i, 1862. The Doctor took my 
name for a discharge. 5th. I was much pleased at seeing 
my papers this forenoon. They will be sent to General 
Montgomery to sign today. 7th. About 3 this afternoon 
Surgeon Gen. Dr. Hayes and his assistant came into the 

432 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 433 

ward for inspection. This is done every Sunday, for the 
purpose of seeing that things are kept clean and in their 
places." 

David Henry Grows was discharged for disability Sept. 
10, 1862. 

LETTER OF SERG'T. PEACOCK. 

"Hall's Hill, Va. 

Sept. 6, 1862. 

Here I am in the old camp we left last spring. Every- 
thing looks about as we left it. We have had a hard time 
of it since leaving James River — constant marching and 
fighting for over three weeks. I was all through the Bull 
Run fight with Lieut. (Thomas M.) Cargill and the Third 
Mass. Battery caissons. These were upon the battle field 
while the guns went to Centreville. 

It is a sad sight to see Porter's Division at the present 
time, worn out and ragged. Camps that held one Reg't. 
six months ago, now accommodate two Brigades ! The 83d 
Penn. that left in March with iioo men, now numbers 90, 
and no one Regt. over 200 men. 

Our Battery is 75 men short by sickness and death. We 
expect to leave here in the morning to be recruited up and 
reorganized. Our knapsacks were sent off at Harrison's 
Landing over a month ago, so about all we have is what 
we stand in. 

P. S. We go from here to Fort Corcoran." 



'Tn the afternoon of September 6, 1862, the 5th and 3d 
Batteries [Corporal Chase still keeping the distinctive titles] 
were mustered for pay by Lt. C. A. Phillips, commanding. 
Received orders after supper to strike tents. The 3d Mass. 
Battery was to go to Alexandria to refit. Hitched up at 8 
p. m. Marched towards Alexandria about 12 p. m. (a 



434 HISTORY OF THE 

silent, rapid march through the darkness) and halted near 
Alexandria at sunrise on the morning of the 7th, Sunday. 
Arrived about noon at Fairfax Seminary [A theological in- 
stitution occupied as a hospital for the sick and wounded of 
our Army] and went into camp. All the Army except 
Morell's Division seemed to have disappeared." 

From a Letter of Lieut. Phillips : "Sunday Evening 
Sept. 7, 1862. Fairfax Seminary: — I was not very well at 

Harrison's Landing, but a march always cures me 

When we left Hall's Hill for the Peninsula, I left my bed- 
stead with Mr. Osborn, not expecting to see it again. Our 
unexpected return to this locality prompted me to look after 
it, and I found it all right, and I intend to stick by it here- 
after." 

On Monday the 8th they marched to Upton's Hill near 
Washington, and camped with Griffin's Brigade. 

LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE. 

"Upton's Hill, Va. 

Sept. 10, 1862. 

Well, here we are again, just where we started from last 
spring. We have been within 4 miles of Richmond and 
now we are in sight of the National Capital. Little did we 
think, last spring, that the Army of the Potomac were to 
drive the enemy to the wall and after a tedious campaign 
and hard fighting, we would return to our old camping 
ground and the enemy still unconquered. We left Harri- 
son's Landing on the night of the 14th ult. and marched to 
Hampton where we took a steamer to Acquia Creek, on the 
Potomac, and from there we have marched here by way 
of Fredericksburg and Manassas. . . . We have had no 
change of clothing since the 7th ult. and until our arrival 
here — Sept. 3d — we did not have time to wash our clothing 
and sufficiently dry it. We washed it and put it on wet 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 435 

and thanks to the hot sun it was soon dry. This is what 
old braggadocio Pope calls 'light marching order.' We 
have marched over many miles of the road between Fred- 
ericksburg and here three times. We would advance eight 
or ten miles in the morning, then halt for two or three 
hours, then countermarch, and in the night of the same day 
advance again, and take position in line of battle with other 
troops and expect an engagement every minute. Some 
days we would go ahead all the way from six to twenty- 
five miles a day. We have escaped all the fights by mere 
luck or accident, but we have seen all their horrors. At the 
battle of Manassas we were ordered to the front about 5 
p. m., and after we had advanced about a mile, we met large 
numbers of the wounded coming to the rear. Soon they 
came in crowds, and finally the whole Army. The road 
was blocked up with troops, and we were obliged to coun- 
termarch. The wounded passed us in every stage of muti- 
lation, some of them on horseback with their legs and arms 
amputated, and the naked stumps exposed to the view of 
those just ordered to the front. We are here to rest and 
recruit, and if old Jackson will be civil for a few days our 
Battery will in all probability be recruited, for we have had 
new officers lately commissioned for our old Battery. 
Twenty-eight new recruits have arrived, some for the 3d 
Battery; among them is one D. C. Chase of Charlestown, 
Mass. 

Thursday morning, Sept. 11, 1862: We have our guns 
'in battery' at the outposts at Upton's Hill with Griffin's 
Brigade. We are under the same restrictions here that we 
were on the Peninsula, although within two miles of the 
National Capital. We have a good place to camp and have 
plenty of soft bread served out to us. We are having a 
good rest and fast recruiting.'' 



On Thursday the nth Lt. Phillips went to Washington 



436 HISTORY OF THE 

and had a short interview with General Fitz John Porter, 
who requested him to address a paper to him in relation to 
the reorganization of the Fifth Mass. Battery. Lt. Phil- 
lips accordingly drew up a short memorial, concluding with 
a request for the members of the Fifth Battery to be placed 
in camp by themselves and supplied with guns. In Lt. 
Phillips' own words : — ''I did not expect an immediate com- 
pliance with this request, but I had it forwarded so as to 
reach him that afternoon. I then went into the city and 
returned about dark. As it had commenced to rain I con- 
cluded to stop over night with Blake who was camped with 
the wagons near Fort Corcoran. The next morning, Sep- 
tember 1 2th, Scott rode down before I was up, and gave 
me a telegraphic order, which Captain Martin had received 
Thursday evening, as follows : — 

United States Military Telegraph. 
Recei^^ed Sept. ii, 1862. 
From Fort Corcoran 

To Capt. A. P. Martin Chief of Art'y. 
Direct Lt. Philfips to make requisitions for a new battery without 
delay. Geo. W. Morell 

M. G. 
At the same time, Scott told me, the whole Division had 
got marching orders and were probably on the road then. 
I saw at once that to get my guns I must stop behind, but 
this order gave no directions whatever. 

I immediately rode up the road till I met Captain Mar- 
tin, and we went to General Morell's Hd. Ors. and suc- 
ceeded in getting a verbal order to keep my men here in 
camp till I was supplied. 

Captain Waterman was not over much pleased at losing 
the men [from the Fourth R. I. Battery] but I thought I 
had recruited his battery long enough." 

George L. Newton of Weymouth, Mass. secretary of the 
Fifth Mass. Battery Association, was one of the number 
of those who were transferred to the Fourth R. I. Battery. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 437 

When asked to furnish the names of the others which were 
subsequently supphed by Gideon Spencer First Lieutenant 
ist Rhode Island Light Artillery, he replied under date 
August 15, 1899: — "While I was one of that number I can- 
not recall the names of the others. If I remember cor- 
rectly there were about 30 of us, and Captain Waterman 
was very sorry to lose us when we were ordered to report 
to Captain (then Lt.) Phillips at Arlington Heights after 
the Second Battle of Bull Run." 

LETTER OF DR. GIDEON SPENCER. SECRETARY 

STATE BOARD OF SOLDIERS' RELIEF 

OF RHODE ISLAND, PROVIDENCE, 

OCT. 18, 1899:— 

"I enclose list of 5th Mass. Battery men who were attached to Bat- 
tery 'C 1st R. I. Lt. Art'y- This was the 4th R. I. Battery, but 'C in 
the regiment of batteries. The enclosed record was taken from the 
Adjutant General's Report of R. I. 1861 to 1865. This report was re- 
vised and compared with the War Department records within the past 
five or six years, and must be nearly perfect. It will give you at least 
the date of their transfer. I hope this may be of some service, as I 
know from experience, at this late day, the writing of history of the 
War of the Rebellion is a severe task." 

Agen John, Priv t. Batt'y C ; July 4, 1862, detached from the 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862. returned to Battery. 

Alden F. D. Priv't. Battery C; July, 1862, detached from the 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 

Almy A. W. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from the Sth 
Mass. Batter}'. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 

Alton J. H. Priv't Batt'y C; July, 1862, attached to this Battery. 
Sept., 1862, transferred to 5th Mass. Battery. 

Champlin E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Cooper H. D. Priv't. Battery C; July 4, 1862. temporarily detached 
from 5th Mass. Battery. 

Crapo H. D. Priv't. Battery C ; temporarily detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to 5th Mass. Battery. 

Dunham W. H. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from sth 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 

Flynn Michael, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from sth 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 



438 HISTORY OF THE 

Freeborn G. H. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 

Gilbert J. A. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Alass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Graham B. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Gunning William, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Hathaway J. F. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Jordan S. R. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Kay J. Priv't. Batt'y C: July 4. 1862. detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Kiel E. E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, temporarily detached from 
5th Alass. Battery. 

McVey D. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Munroe J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, temporarily detached form 
s;th JSIass. Battery. 

Murray J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Newton G. L. Pnv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Oldis F. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery. 

Pattison L. E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment 

Pattison W. B. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Rice E. E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. 
Battery. Sept. 12, 1862^ returned to regiment. 

Tucker J. C. Bugler, Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Waddington J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Welsh Patrick, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 1862, returned to regiment. 

West Benjamin, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery, and borne on extra duty as teamster until Sept. 1862. 
Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 

Wilcox W. S. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th 
Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment. 



To proceed with Lieut. Phillips' Letter: — "Luckily our 



FIFTH }L4SS. BATTERY. 439 

three wagons [see p. 410 Captain Martin ] were still with 
the Batteries, having been turned over to the Battery quar- 
termaster (Scott), each battery having the use of one. So 
Scott started off and emptied the stuff out of them while 1 
got the men together. 

As soon as we got straightened out, I marched them to a 
spot a short distance from Fort Corcoran, and pitched our 
camp. Scott and I have a brand new wall tent, which I 
foraged at Upton's Hill, Blake and Lull a small wedge tent, 
while the men have a most motley assortment of poncho 
tents &c. Our camp is in a very pleasant spot, in good 
order, and altogether looks quite well. 

Having pitched our camp and sent after forage and 
rations I felt that I was fairly started as an independent 
corps." 

Sept. 12, 1862. (Chase's Diary.) "Reveille at 3 a. m. 
Hitched ui) and marched to Fort Corcoran, Va.. and halted 
near Georgetown. Soon after halting we were agreeably 
surprised by seeing the remains of the old 5th Battery again 
assembled to be reorganized. 

Went into camp on a hill near Fort Corcoran, and the 
Third Battery left us and continued the march to Antietam, 
Md. 

Received knapsack well stocked with clean clothing, the 
first change of clothing since we were stripped to light 
marching order August loth (1862), and with soft bread 
and rest, happiness reigns supreme." 

The next thing for Lieut. Phillips to do was to get his 
ordnance requisitions approved. 

"I had some doubts" he wrote, ''whether I could find 
anybody to do it, but having found out from the command- 
ing officer at Fort Corcoran that General Heintzelman was 
in command, I started off the first thing in the morning of 
the 13th for his headquarters at Arlington House. I got 
his signature without any difficulty, and started for the city. 



440 HISTORY OF THE 

Having put the requisitions through the usual routine of 
the 'circumlocution office' I got my orders for the various 
articles, and shall get them as soon as they are on hand. At 
the corral I found about 200 horses and orders for about 
600 ahead of me. 

They had plenty of guns at the Arsenal, — no carriages, 
but were expecting a supply every day. Harnesses are 
plenty, the only trouble is the horses. I have required for 
3 inch guns, the same that we had before. Meantime the 
Division has gone." 

Morell's Division 6000 strong, which had camped one 
brigade on Upton's Hill, one at Hunter's Chapel, and the 
other at Fort Corcoran, had crossed the river and marched 
to Antietam. 

The Fifth Corps had here been joined by the 20th Maine 
Infantry Lt. Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain [see p. 835 "Battle 
of the North Anna"] assigned to the 3d Brigade, ist Di- 
vision (Morell's) Fifth Corps, which it joined Sept. 12, 
1862, and the ii8th Pennsylvania, — commercial exchange 
of Philadelphia, — commanded by Colonel Charles M. Pre- 
vost. 

As organized for the Maryland campaign from Septem- 
ber nth to 30th, 1862, the Artillery attached to the 3d 
Brigade, ist Division, Fifth Army Corps, consisted of the 
Third Mass. Battery Captain A. P. Martin, Fourth Rhode 
Island, Captain Richard Waterman. 5th U. S. Battery D, 
Lt. Charles E. Hazlett. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery remained in camp opposite 
Georgetown. After reuniting the men belonging to the 
Battery who were serving in the Third Mass. and Fourth 
R. I., Phillips needed 20 men. This he stated in a note to 
Governor Andrew. He could take 25, and he could not 
give the exact number of the men on the rolls, as men were 
sent to the hospitals and then discharged for disability and 
no notice given to their captains. In a letter he states that 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 441 

he met Lieut. Batchelder, Division Ordnance officer, on the 
13th. and asked him to tell General Morell that he should 
like a written order to remain till he got his guns, and then 
to rejoin the Division. "I have found" he wrote, "a com- 
missary who will issue rations and a quartermaster who will 
supply forage, and am sure of getting my guns, so I am all 
right. Captain Waterman left a section here with his bat- 
tery wagon and forge in charge of Lt. Buckley to obtain 
new gun carriages. Buckley (Willam W.) was in at the 
Arsenal changing his carriages on the 13th. He told Scott 
he was going to get some horses, and I do not think he has 
got his order filed, so I shouldn't wonder if he had to wait 
longer than we do. I expect an order to report to General 
(Amiel W.) Whipple. Lull got his commission the other 
day at the War Department, where it had been laying a 
month or more, so he is all right, though 1 do not under- 
stand why it is dated Aug. ist and all the rest July i^th. 
In regard to recruits I cannot send for any definite number. 
I can only muster and draw pay for 151 enlisted men. On 
the muster roll of August 31st there are 134 enlisted men. 
This includes a large number who have been sent to hos- 
pitals at various times, but whether they are alive or dead, 
in the service or discharged from it, I do not know and can- 
not find out. I shall take all recruits that come, to the 
number of 30, say." 

The picture here given of the Army Desk, was photo- 
graphed November 4, 1899, by E. G. Merrill at Salem, 
INIass., as it now appears in the home of Captain Phillips. 
It is one of those furnished by Government for the use of 
Army officers, and was in use by Captain Phillips two years 
and a half. Its dimensions are, outside, breadth 24 in. : 
height 20 in. : depth 12 inches. 

When opened afjer many years for the purpose of exam- 
ining the papers relating to the history of the Battery, it 



442 HISTORY OF THE 

was found to contain records from 1861 to 1865, and the 
settlement of accounts. 

After the papers were examined and extracts made, all 
the diaries, official papers and books, which had been taken 
out were carefully returned to their places, so that when the 
photograph was taken the desk held everything exactly as 
when first opened. 

COMPANY ORDER NO. i. 

Fort Cobcoran, Sept. 13. 1862. 
Company Orders. 
No. I. 
The following appointments are announced : — 
Charles A. Phillips Senior 1st Lieut. 
Henry D. Scott Junior ist Lieut. 
Peleg W. Blake Senior 2d Lieut. 
Frederick A. Lull Junior 2d Lieut. 

Joseph E. Spear ist Sergeant to date from August ist. 
Ephraim B. Nye Serg't., to date from July 13th. 
William B. Pattison Corporal, to date from July ist. 
William G. Warren Corporal, to date from July 13th. 
John W. ]\Iorrison Corporal, to date from August ist. 

(Signed) Charles A. Phillips Lieut. 

Com'd'g Battery E. Mass. Art'y. 

From Lieut. Phillips under date Sept. 14, 1862: — *1 re- 
ceived two letters today directed to men whom I never 
heard of, members of Mass. 5th Battery, Camp Day. Cam- 
bridge, and forwarded on here. I should judge by this that 
my recruits had started. 

I am afraid, in that case, they will be forwarded to 
Morell's Division. The shoulder-straps have arrived, and 
have given universal satisfaction. I have the most 
cordial co-operation of all my officers and men. . . . 
Four recruits have arrived from Massachusetts named Bliss, 
Brand, D. Shackley, J. Shackley. They went up to Rock- 
ville hunting after Morell's Division. Two of my sick 
men have returned from hospital and I expect more every 
day. We live very independently. The men feel much 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 443 

more cheerful than they have for some time, and so far all' 
goes well. I am afraid at the present rate our Division will 
travel out of our reach. When last heard from they were 
en route for Harper's Ferry. Our return to Hall's Hill 
enabled me to regain possession of my old camp stools 
which I had at Lynnfield and Readville, so that [with the 
bedstead] our tent is about as comfortable as it was in those 
days. We have manufactured a dining-table out of harness 
boxes, and live in style. Some of us go into the city every 
day so that we have an opportunity to do our marketing. 
Things around here remain very quiet; once in a while we 
can hear a little firing up river, and a green regiment camped 
close by salutes us occasionally; today sending a whole vol- 
ley of bullets into our camp under the impression that they 
were discharging their muskets into the side of the hill. 
Washington is quiet. Massachusetts must be getting very 
warlike. I see by an advertisement in the Transcript every 
citizen of Boston is called upon to keep a uniform and mus- 
ket on hand to guard against contingencies." 

With regard to General Burnside's influence in favor of 
the Battery, Lieut. Phillips wrote home from camp near 
Fort Corcoran, Sept. 14, 1862: — 

". . . Thanks, however, to my friends at home and 
out here, — among the latter particularly Gen. Burnside, — i 
have at last got an order to draw a new supply of guns, 
horses, &c., and have gone into camp here for that pur- 
pose. . . . Gen. Burnside whom I saw at Falmouth, 
wished to be remembered to you. After I saw him he had 
an interview with Gen. Porter, which probably helped me 
as much as anything. . . . We are camped just beyond 
Fort Corcoran, on the right hand side of the road going 
from Washington, in a very pleasant spot. On the whole 
our camp looks well. Horses and guns only are needed to 
complete the picture. 

I met the 40th Mass. under Lt. Col. Dalton on the Avenue 



444 HISTORY OF THE 

the other day. They looked very well. I find my hands 
full of business just now, but I never felt better." 

CORPORAL SHACKLEY'S NOTES. 

'T enlisted as a recruit to the Battery after McClellan's 
campaign on the Peninsula, and went to Camp Day at Cam- 
bridge, Mass. 

Daniel K. Shackley, Robert Brand, and Cornelius E. 
Bliss, also enlisted as recruits to the Battery, and early in 
September (1862) we four, with others, were ordered to 
join our respective commands. We were transported to 
Washington. D. C, and quartered in a barrack known as 
'Soldiers' Retreat.' We were there while the Fifth or 
Porter's Corps were marching through Washington to 
South Mountain and Antietam. The next day, when a call 
was made for recruits for Porter's Corps to fall in, we were 
glad of the opportunity to get away from the 'Retreat,' and 
falling into line we marched just outside the District of 
Columbia and bivouacked for the night. 

The next morning we proceeded on our march and passed 
through Rockville, where we found some men of the Third 
Mass. Battery, who told us the Fifth had been detached and 
left at Fort Corcoran to recruit and receive new guns and 
horses. 

We four recruits for the Fifth Battery went to the Pro- 
vost-guard of Rockville, and received some rations and a 
permit to return to Georgetown. We went towards George- 
town about three miles, and turning into a field spread our 
blankets under the branches of a large oak tree, and after 
eating some of our army rations, we lay down for our 
night's rest with the clouds for our canopy. 

With our heads on the ground we could hear heavy can- 
nonading, which we afterwards learned was the battle of 
South Mountain. Sept. 14, 1862. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 445 

Next morning we proceeded on our way, and were soon 
overtaken by an empty wagon train, and by the courtesy of 
the train master we put our knapsacks in the wagons and 
went over the rough macadamized road to Georgetown. 

We reported to the Provost-guard, who after two or 
three hours, detailed a sergeant, a corporal and six men with 
the following prisoners, [the four recruits] who marched 
us over Aqueduct bridge and then told us to go where we 
pleased. 

Wt climbed up the hill to Fort Corcoran, where we found 
the Battery and felt quite at home." 

On Sept. 1 6, 1862, all the harnesses had been obtained, 
and on the 17th procured a little more ordnance. 

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 

This day, Wednesday the 17th, has been called the blood- 
iest day that America had ever known. When nearly two 
hundred thousand men for fourteen hours were engaged 
in mortal combat, witnessed by an army of spectators who 
observed the conflict from the surrounding hills. 

Thursday the i8th the battery wagon and forge were 
hauled out, and it was ordered that the morning report 
should be made to Brigadier General Whipple commanding 
defences of Washington Southwest of the Potomac, which 
the enemy crossed that night, holding the right bank and 
defending the ford with his artillery. Portions of Morell's 
and Sykes' Divisions with a portion of the Divisional artil- 
lery were ordered to occupy the banks of the river, clear the 
fords, and capture if possible the enemy's guns, during 
which movement the enemy fell back in confusion, and two 
guns and several caissons were secured. 

Lieut. Phillips wrote on this date: — "I have got under 
General Whipple's orders at last. 

He rode into camp today, and after a few inquiries about 



446 HISTORY OF THE 

my guns, said that as his orders were to take command of 
all within his limits, he supposed I came under his com- 
mand, and wished me to send my morning reports to him. 
I told him that this relieved me of some responsibility, as I 
was sometimes at a loss to get my requisitions approved, 
&c. &c. He said he would approve my requisitions if 1 
would send them up to Head Quarters. I told him what 
my instructions \yere, and that I thought it exceedingly 
doubtful if I ever caught up with Morell's Division at the 
rate things were moving. He seemed to think so too, and 
said that he should like very much to have me in his Divi- 
sion but, of course, he should not like to interfere with Gen- 
eral Morell in any wav. I said it made very little difference 
to me what Division I was in &c. &c. So on the whole, it 
will not be the most surprising thing in the world if we end 
by being transferred to Whipple's Division. . . . What 
sort of red tape has prevented Terry [Serg't Terry desired 
the commission of quartermaster of the batteries] from be- 
ing commissioned ? As near as I can get at it, the Governor 
would not commission him till he was discharged, and the 
Department would not discharge him till he was commis- 
sioned, and there they stuck ! 

Friday (the 19th) General Whipple had his Division out 
for review, and having miscalculated the length of the line 
one regiment formed on our battery wagon and forge. The 
order was then given 'Form Sc(uares '[and the regiment 
formed a square with them in the middle! As a drill for 
manoeuvring on difficult ground it may have been excellent, 
but as a military exhibition it was rather a failure. Satur- 
day (20th) he had a review, but. having grown wiser, this 
time he formed the line somewhere else, so as not to cross 
our parade." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 447 

ON RECRUITING SERVICE. 

Head Quarters Army 

OF THE Potomac, 
Washington. 
Sept. 20, 1862. 
Special Orders. 

Extract. 
5. Quartermaster Sergeant T. W. Terry, Battery E, Mass. Artil- 
lery, is detached on the recruiting service, and will report for instruc- 
tions to the superintendency of the recruiting service for the state of 
Massachusetts. 

By command of Major General McClellan. 

(Signed) Richard B. Irwin, 
Ass't Adjt. Gen'l. 
"Sunday, Sept. 21, 1862 (Phillips) General Whipple had 
an inspection of his cavalrv, and by way of variety made 
me turn out my men for inspection. Without guns or 
horses I could not make much of a display, but I did my 
best. 

Sept. 22d. I have just learned how the troops here are 
organized : General Heintzelman commands the corps here. 
composed of four Divisions of which Whipple is one. . . . 
I find I have quite a number of acquaintances round here : 
Lts. Hall, Dalton, Smith and Pope of the 14th, and through 
them I am getting acquainted with most of the officers of 
that regiment. Yesterday afternoon Lull and I rode up to 
the 40th Regt. encamped close by Fort Ethan Allen near 
Chain Bridge. We took tea with Captain Johnson and his 
lieutenants, then looked on at Dress Parade, and after that 
I called on Lt. Col. Dalton and Major Day, so, on the whole, 
I tuniloled into quite a lot of acquaintances. The roads 
which last spring were regular mud holes, are now in ex- 
cellent order and riding is very pleasant. Business in Wash- 
ington gives us all plenty of opportunities to get into the 
city, and our present life is rather a relief from the barba- 
rous way in which we have been living. Our men are recruit- 
ing upon a diet of soft bread, and our number is constantly 
on the increase from the hospitals. I have now 95 enlisted 



448 HISTORY OF THE 

men in camp; rather a small proportion of 150, but more 
than we have had for some time. We have five or ten on 
the sick list every day, but no serious cases. I have bread 
and milk every morning for breakfast. In regard to the 
negro question I have gained no new views. I do not think 
that emancipation would be a direct military advantage of 
any account, but I think it would be a great step towards 
the suppression of the rebellion. . . . 

You don't think my picture looks military," he writes 
with reference to one sent home, "perhaps this is owing to 
the hat. I started out here with a small forage cap, but the 
heat on the Peninsula rendered this intolerable. At Gaines 
Mills I invested in a felt hat, which was my costume through 
the battle. By the time I reached Harrison's Landing this 
was pretty well played out, having served as a night cap 
pretty constantly. I next purchased a straw hat which 
showed very prettily at first, but rain and dust soon spoiled 
its looks. I wore this till we arrived here and had it on 
when my picture was taken. As it had become the laughing 
stock of the company I took the first opportunity to dispose 
of it. . . . 

Sept. 24, 1862. General Whipple appears to take consid- 
erable interest in our getting our guns and horses, and his 
staff are congratulating themselves upon having gained an 
'experienced' battery in the Division. 

I have no doubt but that the ist of January will see states 
enough in rebellion to make a very general emancipation. 
The rebellion will not be crushed at once, and the campaign 
in Maryland is not all rose colored. We have driven them 
out of Maryland, but it proved our weakness that they ever 
got there, and we did no more than they did when they 
drove us off the Peninsula. The fights at South Mountain 
were not decisive defeats, and the battle of Antietam Creek 
was almost a drawn game. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 449 

Richmond will not be taken this year unless it is done by 
gunboats. 

General Whipple's Division is a great Division for drill- 
ing. We had two reviews last week, and day before yester- 
day he had the infantry of his Division form hollow squares, 
while four companies of cavalry charged all over the field 
sometimes in good order, but more frequently in disorder. 
Altogether it was a remarkable exhibition." 

FROM A LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE. 

"Camp near Fort Corcoran^ 
Arlington Heights, Va. 

Sept. 25, 1862. 

When I last wrote you we were with the 3d Battery, with 
the pieces 'in Battery' at Upton's Hill, but on the 12th we 
received marching orders and started towards Washing- 
ton. When we arrived at the bridge, — to Georgetown, — 
we were very agreeably surprised to see that our days with 
the 3d Battery, 4th Rhode Island and 5th Regulars were 
numbered. The scattered remains of the old Fifth gradu- 
ally collected, and we are now in camp, waiting for recruits, 
guns, and horses. Many of our men who left us at Harri- 
son's Landing, sick, have returned to us hale and hearty. 
We recei^'ed our knapsacks when we arrived here, having 
been without them 33 days. Everything in mine was dry 
and as perfect as the day I packed it, but others had been 
rifled of their contents. ... I do not want you to think 
that I am not willing to take my share of the hardships of 
the war, neither do we have an unusual dread of battles 
ahead when there is the least chance of accomplishing any- 
thing, but I must say that I am disgusted with the summer 
campaign in Virginia. There have been several 'loose 
screws,' in fact the only one that was fast and firm to one 
policy was McClellan, but the screw-drivers at Washington 
kept twisting him round until they nearly split his head, and 



450 HISTORY OF THE 

finally the only screw that held the machine together also 
became loose, his plans were abandoned and here we are 
just in sight of Abraham's house. Where the blame in the 
main rests I will not attempt to say, for I do not know, all I 
can account for is my own conduct. I have endeavored to 
do my humble part as well as I could. Let every one ac- 
count for his own doings. You say you have been fighting 
for McClellan but some have been down on him. Well, no 
matter, let 'em croak. 'Truth crushed to earth will rise 
again,' so will George. Where's old Pope now? His 
'Head Quarters are in his saddle,' but where's his saddle? 
Ask the breezes that ruffle the Potomac north of Bull Run. 
We have received our battery wagon, forge, and har- 
nesses, and our new sabres have come today." 

FROM LIEUT. PHILLIPS' LETTERS. 

"Sept. 28, 1862. A week ago yesterday we were told that 
our guns would be ready for us at the Arsenal on Monday 
morning, so we went in on Monday morning to find that 
General Burnside had sent down on Sunday for six gims 
and off they had gone. However, unless some other general 
in the field wants some guns, we shall get ours by Tuesday. 
With horses the thing works the same way. Thursday 
night the numbers had been so reduced that there were 
orders for only 150 ahead of us. Friday morning down 
came an order from McClellan for 200, and this must be 
filled before anything else. It is rather discouraging, but 
we can wait. Scott and I have had a floor laid in our tent 
for the first time since leaving Massachusetts. Our men 
have built an oven and we can roast and bake at a great 
rate. Yesterday we had roast beef for dinner, and this 
morning we had baked beans for breakfast. One of our 
latest improvements is a rack to hang our clothes on. The 
men are living quite comfortably, having foraged a great 
many tents. In fact the camp has been gradually growing 
and now presents quite a respectable appearance. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 451 

One of General Whipple's brigades has gone to the front, 
to Miner's Hill, I believe. From this I infer that General 
(Franz) Sigel has moved off somewhere. The other day 
when I was up at Hall's Hill, I learned that General (R. H.) 
Milroy's brigade had gone off. Captain Martin's quarter- 
master sergeant was in Washington yesterday, and from 
him I learned that they had not been in any fight yet. He 
left the Division at Sharpsburg." 

The rebel army had been driven back into Virginia, and 
under date of September 30, 1862, General Halleck thanked 
General IMcClellan and his army for hard fought battles, 
adding : — 

"For the well earned and decided victories in Maryland, a grateful 
country, while mourning the lamented dead, will not be unmindful of 
the living." 

On the 30th Lt. Phillips drew two guns and caissons, and 
on Oct. I, 1862, Wednesday, Corporal Chase has recorded: 
"Received four new ginis and 81 horses, again equipping 
us as a full battery." 

Phillips himself says : — "The remainder of the horses I 
shall get early tomorrow (Oct. 2d) so that by tomorrow 
night I shall be fully equipped. As I understand it I cannot 
move from here without an order from General Whipple. 
I shall report myself to him tomorrow ready for service and 
tell him that I had rather sta}' where I am. If I stay in his 
Division I shall do it under favorable auspices, I have got a 
very good set of horses, good guns and carriages, and better 
ammunition than we had before. Altogether I am quite 
well satisfied with things." 

Captain, then Lieut., Scott remembers a speech made 
about this time by Lieut. Phillips to the men "which was 
the only model speech" he "had heard in the Battery up to 
that time. — Lt. Phillips called the men into line and said : — 

'Men, once more we have our guns and horses, and when 
they go to Richmond, we go with them.' " 

"We had passed," Lt. Scott remarks, "through a varied 



452 HISTORY OF THE 

experience, but now we felt certainly a new future was 
before us. All were jubilant." 

Nineteen more horses were obtained on Thursday (the 
2d) and in the afternoon he reported to General Whipple 
that he was ready for service. 

In the meantime he had received the following order from 
Captain Martin. 

GEN. FITZ JOHN PORTER DIRECTS. 

On Sept. 27, 1862, the Fifth Corps went into camp in the 
vicinity of Sharpsburg, Md. directly north of Harper's 
Ferry and in the neighborhood of the battle grounds of 
Antietam Creek. 

ORDER FROM CAPT. MARTIN. 

Camp near Sharpsburg, I\Id. 
September 27, 1862. 
Lieut. Phillips 

Commanding 5th Mass. Battery. 
Lieut. 

General Porter directs me to say to you that he ivishes 
you to rejoin the Division as soon as possible. He says if you have 
not obtained your full equipment, and there seems to be any unnecessary 
delay, to call on General Barry in Washington for assistance, or you 
can communicate with him by telegraph through General McClellan's 
Head Quarters. 

Lt. Walcott will give you information about the road etc. 
Very repectfully 

Your ob't servant 

A. P. Martin Capt. 
Commanding Division Artillery. 
Forwarded with the following indorsement. 

Camp near Fort Corcoran, 
Oct. 6, 1862. 
The within is respectfully referred to Brigd'r General Whipple 
Com'd'g Division. 

I expect to be ready to move by the 8th of October. 

(Signed) Charles A. Phillips ist Lt. 
When Lt. Phillips called upon General Whipple on 
Thursday, Oct. 2d, this order from Captain Martin was in 



; 



FIFTH' MASS. BATTERY. 453 

his possession, though of course without the indorsement 
at that time. "I had shown him" (Gen. Whipple), he says, 
"the order I had received from Captain Martin, but as Gen- 
eral Barry told me that I was to receive orders from General 
Whipple only, and that General Porter had no power to 
order me away, I told him I was a little uncertain what T 
was going to do. He promised to give me proper orders, 
and said that he should like to keep me in his Division. I 
told him that would please me and my officers as we had 
no particular desire to rejoin Morell's. The Division 
(Whipple's) is not everything that could be desired. It is 
composed of two brigades. General Piatt's and another, 
made up mostly of green troops. There are two batteries : 
Battery H, ist Ohio Art'y, under a major or Lt. Colonel, 
and the nth N. Y. Battery, Captain something-or-other- 
hamer. The nth N. Y. has been in one fight only, where 
they lost four guns, so that we have companions in misfor- 
tune. Still I think the Division will be a good one. ... I 
have been to see the General several times, and I always meet 
with a cordial reception. His staff appears to be composed 
of very good officers. His ass't adj't general is Captain 
Henry Dalton, and one of his aides Lt. Eddy has been here 
frequently. 

The trouble in Morell's Division was that we never had a 
fair start. Yesterday (Oct. 2d) we hitched up and had a 
drill, and found our horses work very well : there is not a 
balky one in the lot. One animal distinguished himself by 
jumping round when being harnessed, actually jumping 
square over one man, but after tying up his leg and giving 
him a short Rarey-izing, he came to." 

Chase's Diary. "Oct. 2, 1862. On guard last night and 
today 2d relief. In camp near Georgetown. Company pre- 
paring to march all day. 

Oct. 3d. Battery drilled by sections. Hitched up p. m. 
A perfect success. Sent my old memorandum book home 



454 HISTORY OF THE 

yesterday. Sent secesh cartridge box home today by ex- 
press." 

From the ist to the 4th of October, President Lincoln was 
with the army in the different encampments and on the 
battlefields. He approved of what had been done, and prom- 
ised supplies should be sent immediately. 

The army was in need of everything-, and McClellan 
dared not cross the Potomac, where the enemy was in 
strong force, with the river, which might rise above a forda- 
ble stage at any time, between him and his army and base 
of supplies. 

On the 5th in the forenoon there was an inspection of the 
Fifth Mass. Battery. It took place at 9 o'clock and General 
Whipple sent two of his staff down to witness it, "though I 
wished," says Phillips, "they had stayed away till we had 
got our horses broken in, and our harnesses fitted. We had 
not got out of park when one trace unhooked, then another, 
and then another, causing a halt every dozen steps. Finally 
we got in line and prepared for inspection. I felt pretty 
grumpy as we rode round through the Battery. However, 
I got through with it, and then took the Battery out on a 
two hours' drill, and I think they will do better next time. 
This afternoon we took a ride out into the country. I have 
recitations in tactics every evening, and it is curious to see 
how some things strike the company officers. I never found 
the slightest difficulty in learning tactics from the book, and 
long before we ever hitched up, I could do any manoeuvre 
in the book. Mere manual dexterity of course can be ac- 
quired only by practice." 

October 6th, 1862, Captain Martin's order, indorsed by 
Lt. Phillips (see p. 452) was sent to General Whipple. Con- 
cerning this he wrote on the 7th : — 'T have referred the or- 
der I received from Captain Martin to General Whipple, 
and he has ordered me to go ahead with my preparations 
and report when ready to him. Meanwhile he has made 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 455 

application to have the Battery transferred to his Division." 
McClellan had been ordered on the 6th by General Hal- 
leck to cross the Potomac at once, and "move now, while the 
roads are good." The cavalry had moved north and would 
intercept the rebel general Stuart's raid through Maryland 
and Pennsylvania. The army must move, although besides 
every other needful thing horses were scarce, and a new 
supply was indispensable. 

Orders were received for the Fifth Mass. Battery to 
start Wednesday morning Oct. 8. 

MARCHING ORDERS. 

Head Quarters 
Whipple's Division, 
3D Army Corps, 
Fort Corcoran, Va. 
Oct. 8, 1862. 
Special Orders 
No. 167. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery Lt. Phillips commanding, is hereby relieved 
from duty with this Division, and will report as soon as practicable to 
the commanding officer of Morell's Division, Porter's Corps. 
By command of Brig. Gen'l Whipple. 

Daniel Hall 
Act'g Ass't Adjt. General. 

ON THE MARCH. 

"On the 8th of October [1862, Scott's Notes] the Battery 
crossed the Potomac on the Aqueduct bridge, and followed 
the road taken by the army through Maryland to join the 
Fifth Corps at Sharpsburg. Phillips was in command. 

The weather was dry and warm, and the dust that rose 
was stifling and blinding. 

Passing through Urbana we found the rebel general 
Stuart in his raid in Maryland had crossed our line of 
march but an hour before. Had we been a little earlier we 
would likely have been captured, as we had no escort. 

Arriving on the Monocacy River at night near Frederick 



456 HISTORY OF THE 

City, completely exhausted with the heat and dust of the 
day, the men at once went in bathing and got rid of some 
of the accumulated dust of our travel." 



CORPORAL CHASE'S ACCOUNT. 

"Oct. 9, 1862, (Diary of Corporal Chase) Reveille 
at 4 a. m. Hitched up and left camp about half-past 5 a. m. 
Passed through several villages and halted for the night 
about 2 miles from Frederick City, Md. Bivouacked near 
the bridge over Monocacy River on the Baltimore and Ohio 
R. R. loth : Reveille at 4 a. m. Broke camp and left about 
6 a. m. Passed through Frederick, Md., and over the road 
around South Mountain, and halted about two miles from 
Boonsboro', Md. Marched again through Sharpsburg, 
about 3 p. m. and halted, and went into park just outside 
the town. Saw much evidence of the recent battle on the 
route, both at South Mountain and Sharpsburg: buildings 
shattered and trees scarred by shells and musketry gave 
proof of the bloody battle of Antietam. Visited some rebel 
prisoners in a hospital near Boonsboro', and found among 
them privates of the 5 th and 6th Alabama regiments, who 
charged on our Battery at the Battle of Gaines Mills, June 
27, 1862. They belonged to General Rhodes' Brigade, 
General Hill's Division, and were taken prisoners at the 
battle of Antietam. 

The people along the route all seemed loyal and welcomed 
us heartily." 

With respect to this assignment and the march back to 
the First Division Captain Phillips wrote: — 

"General Whipple wished to keep us in his Division, but 
was hardly enterprising enough, so we got our orders to 
start Wednesday morning. At ten o'clock we started, 
crossed the Aqueduct, turned up the left by the reservoir 
and kept on through Tenallytown and Rockville. We 



TIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 457 

camj^ed a mile beyond the latter place. The day was hot 
and (hist)- but the road good. Thursday morning we started 
a. 5 o'clock. The road was excellent, macadamized, but the 
cruntry very hilly. Leaving Sugar Loaf Mountain on our 
left, we pushed on through Clarksburg and Urbana for the 
Monocacy. About 5 o'clock we reached the Monocacy, 
crossed the turnpike bridge and camped on the banks be- 
tween the two bridges. I availed myself of the opportunity 
to wash off the dust which had accumulated very thick, 
got a glass of ale, at the railroad saloon and went to sleep. 
The next morning we started at daybreak and passed 
through Frederick before the people were up. The day was 
cloudy, with a little sprinkle once in a while. Soon after 
leaving Frederick we crossed a range of hills, passing 
through the little village of Fairview. The valley in which 
Frederick is situated is a splendid farming country, and 
finely cultivated. The people appear to be very enterprising 
as they had already repaired their fences where they had 
been torn down. After crossing this range of hills we came 
to another valley of equal fertility and cultivation. In the 
centre was the town of Middletown : on the opposite side 
were South Mts. Passing across the valley and through 
Middletown, we began to ascend South Mountain Pass 
where one battle came off. Half way up the hill I halted in 
front of a little inn to rest the horses. On the descent we 
passed a long train of ambulances full of wounded Federal 
and Secesh; the Secesh being a better looking set than I 
have seen before. At the bottom of the hill we halted an 
hour to rest. In the house near by were several wounded 
Secesh, and our men strolling around, found one of. them 
who had one of my men's blankets taken at Gaines Mills. 
I did not see the men myself, but they said their regiment 
suffered greatly in getting our guns, and would nut believe 
our loss was so small. [See p. 351 Barnard.] \Ye next 
passed through Boonsboro', turned to the left, and passed 



458 HISTORY OF THE 

the village of Keedysville, crossed the little Antietam, and 
came to the hills occupied by our troops in the battle of 
Antietam, Across the creek the hill rose steeply, and just 
over the crest lay the village of Sharpsburg. Almost every 
house had a cannon ball through it; chimneys knocked off 
and the mischief played generally. At present the town 
presents quite a busy appearance. Churches and houses are 
turned into hospitals. The U. S. Sanitary Commission 
occupy a couple of stores, and the streets are quite crowded. 
Just beyond the town I halted the Battery, and rode ahead 
to report to General Morell." 



FREDERICKSBURG. 




I. Posifiov o/ 5**Mass- Battery d-urin^ the "battle. Z.TTie Poor House. 
3.T7ie Brich Kiln. 4-. Place vjhere Cor-poral Platts -ioQ.6 ivried 5. TTie ^ 
luildiri^ of the Young Men's Christian Association used as a hospital 
d'j^rinq tJie tattle. b.The Tti^ht Grand Division. 7. Left Grand JOiv. 
8 Centre Grand Di if. 9. Vosition of 3^^- Hass. Batterj/. 10. HumjihreyS' 
Hivision II. Griff ivs Division. IZ. 6y'kes' Division. 13. Upper Bridge, /'f-. 
Middle Bridge. 15. Lou^^r JBrid^s.. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

December 13, 1862. 

"The armies stand by to behold the dread meet- 
ing: 
The work must be done by a desperate few, 
The black mouthed guns on the height give them 
greeting — 
From gun-mouth to plain every grass blade in view." 

At Fredericksburg. — John Boyle O'Reilly. 

Having seen the rebel army safely across the Potomac, it 
appeared to be the duty of the officials who were to formu- 
late and regulate the campaign, to take into consideration 
the recuperation of the army, more especially as the Stuart 
dash into Maryland had resulted in a loss of horses, which it 
was absolutely necessary should be supplied at once, as well 
as the pressing demand for clothing, shoes and blankets, 
which it was impossible longer to ignore. Recruiting must 
also be strenuously urged in order to restore the diminished 
ranks. Regiments in some instances had no officer of higher 
rank than captain, and many companies were without any 
commissioned officers. All possible dispatch should be used 
in the forwarding of supplies. 

While these most important objects were being accom- 
plished, the Army waited and watched the banks and fords 
of the river, and the camp for a brief period fell into the fa- 
miliar routine of constant drill and frequent inspections by 
day, and at night the suspended animation of a bivouac near 
battle grounds, which had been the scene of too much ruth- 
less sacrifice of human life ever to be obliterated from the 

459 



460 HISTORY OF THE 

memory, or to give unbroken rest to those who fell asleep 
in their neighborhood. 

On the 27th of October, 1862, the Army of the Potomac 
commenced to cross into Virginia. General George Webb 
Morell was placed in command of all the Union forces re- 
maining on the upper Potomac, from Antietam Creek to 
Cumberland, Md., and his place at the head of the ist Divi- 
sion of the Fifth Corps was filled by General Charles 
Griffin. 

General McClellan's plan was to follow the eastern slope 
of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a southern direction, occu- 
pying the various gaps, and, turning the tables on General 
Lee, to place the Army between him and Richmond. By the 
2d of November, the Army had crossed either at Harper's 
Ferry or at Berlin, and the various corps had followed the 
various routes marked out for them. On Nov. 9, 1862, the 
disposition of the Army of the Potomac was as follows : — 

The First, Second, and Fifth Corps, the Reserve Artillery 
and Army Head Quarters were at Warrenton, the Ninth 
Corps was at Waterloo, the Sixth Corps and the Eleventh 
Corps at New Baltimore with part of the Eleventh Corps at 
Gainesville and Thoroughfare Gap, part of the Third Corps 
posted along the Orange and Alexandria railroad from 
Manassas to Warrenton Junction. Part of the cavalry were 
confronting Longstreet at Hazel River six miles from Cul- 
peper Court House, and Rappahannock Station was 
guarded. The rebel general Jackson was near Chester and 
Thornton Gaps, but the mass of the rebel army was west of 
the Blue Ridge. 

At Warrenton, having relieved Washington from danger, 
with a successful campaign in prospect, and an Army full of 
enthusiasm and sublime faith in their leader, orders came on 
Nov. 7th to relieve General McClellan from the command 
of the Army and General Fitz John Porter from the com- 
mand of the Fifth Corps. General Ambrose E. Burnside 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 4G1 

assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, and Gen- 
eral Joseph Hooker of the Fifth Corps. 

General Burnside, on assuming the command substituted 
for the plan of campaign originated by McClellan a new 
one, which involved the seizure of the heights south of Fred- 
ericksburg after fording the Upper Rappahannock River; 
the railroad to Fredericksburg being reopened by sending a 
small force north of the Rappahannock for that purpose. 

Previous to this movement Burnside reorganized the 
Army, by forming Three Grand Divisions, the Right, 
Centre, and Left. The Right was composed of the Second 
and Ninth Army Corps Major Gen. Edwin V. Sumner in 
command, the Centre consisted of the Third and Fifth Army 
Corps Major Gen. Joseph Hooker in command, and the 
Left, of the First and Sixth Army Corps, Major Gen. Wil- 
liam B. Franklin, commanding. 

The Fifth Corps was commanded by Brig. Gen. Daniel 
Butterfield, and the ist Division to which the Artillery 
Brigade in which was the Fifth Mass. Battery was attached, 
was commanded by Brig. Gen, Charles Griffin. 

General Burnside commenced his movement on the 15th 
of November, 1862, and instead of crossing the Rappahan- 
nock River, marched the entire Army down its north bank, 
the advance of the Right Grand Division arriving in the vi- 
cinity of Falmouth, Va. on the 17th but was unable to cross 
to Fredericksburg, on account of a rebel force on the other 
side of the river, sent for the purpose of obstructing the 
passage at this point. The bridge across the river to Fred- 
ericksburg had been destroyed. 

A corps of the Confederate Army was awaiting develop- 
ments in the vicinity of Orange Court House. In anticipa- 
tion of our attempting to gain the heights near that city 
Longstreet was ordered to proceed to Fredericksburg. On 
the 19th the Fifth Corps was at Hartwood a few miles above 
Falmouth. On the 21st at 5 p. m. in the midst of a rain 



462 HISTORY OF THE 

storm, the Right Grand Division having arrived at a point 
where the Potomac Creek crossed the Acquia Creek and 
Fredericksburg railroad, General Sumner summoned the 
authorities of the city of Fredericksburg to surrender. In 
the event of their refusal, he threatened to bombard the 
place at 9 a. m. the next morning. The city then under the 
control of the confederate general Lee did not surrender, 
and was not bombarded. Longstreet established his com- 
mand on Marye's Heights in the rear of Fredericksburg, 
and a part of Jackson's Corps w^as near Port Royal on the 
Rappahannock River, when on Nov. 26th our gunboats had 
arrived. 

General Burnside ordered the construction of five bridges 
from the upper part of the town to the lower, within a dis- 
tance of about two miles, and the artillery were employed 
not only to protect the building of the bridges, but to protect 
the Left flank of the Army from attack in the direction of 
the Massaponax River, and to control the enemy's move- 
ments on the plain between the ridges of hills on both sides 
of the river. To supply this unusual demand some of the 
artillery was withdrawn from the Grand Divisions, and tem- 
porarily added to the Artillery Reserve. The Reserve was 
then formed into four Divisions viz., the Right, the Right 
Centre, and the Left Centre, and the Left, numbering in all 
147 Guns, and disposed along the north bank of the Rappa- 
hannock River. Battery C, ist Rhode Island, and Battery 
D, 5th U. S. were detached from the Fifth Corps and 
placed in position to join in the general fire directed upon 
the town and hills beyond, but the Third and Fifth Massa- 
chusetts Batteries crossed the river and entered the city. 

The Right Grand Division of the Army was concentrated 
near the upper and middle bridges; the Left Grand Division 
near the bridge below the town ; and the Centre Grand Divi- 
sion near to and in the rear of the Right. 

On December nth the Fifth Corps marched three miles 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 463 

to the bank of the Rappahannock, the artillery moving in 
the rear of the Division, and was massed on a level tract of 
land in the rear of the batteries on the ridg-e. 

The pontoons for the bridges had to be taken down the 
Potomac and up the Rappahannock, and Burnside waited 
for them 12 days on the Stafford Hills all ready to cross. In 
the early morning of Dec. nth the teams carried them 
down to the river banks. 

Edwin Forbes in his description of "The Pontoon 
Train" attached to his picture, thus describes the train and 
the method of building a pontoon bridge: — 

"One of the finest sights during the march of the great army was 
the pontoon train. The huge scows resting on their heavy wagons, 
went tossing over the rough roads pulled by six mule teams. . . . On 
nearing a stream, a road was chosen where the approach to cross would 
not be too steep. The wagons were drawn near the bank, and the 
pontoon boats were slid off from the rear of them into the water. 
This work was often accomplished under the enemy's fire from an op- 
posite bank of the river ; but our men worked with a will, loading the 
boats and pushing them off with a dash and a cheer to clear the enemy 
away. Then the real work of building a bridge would begm. Boats 
would be pushed out, turned lengthwise with the current, and placed at 
regular intervals across the stream, anchored at both ends. Then a 
set of men would quickly attach stringers from boat to boat, and an- 
other set would hurry forward with planks to place over them, thus 
forming a floor. In an incredibly short time the bridge would be com- 
pleted, and the main body of the army would march across amid great 
cheers." 

The engineers while laying the pontoon bridges on the 
nth December, 1862, being continually harassed by the 
rebel sharpshooters, our batteries on the Heights com- 
menced a terrific cannonading which was continued two 
hours, in order to drive them out of the house which con- 
cealed them; setting fire to the city in several places, and 
under cover of a movement of the Massachusetts and Michi- 
gan troops the pontoon bridges were completed. Three 
regiments of infantry crossed in boats, under fire, drove the 
enemy from their entrenchments and took possession of the 
town, fighting their way through. These were the Mass. 



464 HISTORY OF THE 

19th and 20th and the 7th Michigan. When these men of 
Massachusetts and Michigan crossed, in the words of the 
poet Baker : — 

"Cheer after cheer we sent them 
As only armies can — 
Cheers for old Massachusetts, 
'Cheers for young Michigan." 

Two distinct combats made up the Battle of Fredericks- 
burg on the 13th. One the fight on the Federal Left wing 
with Jackson and Stuart's cavalry and horse artillery on the 
east, and the assault of the Federal Right and Centre direct- 
ly upon the Heights, when our artillery from the Falmouth 
bank of the river, from 40 to 50 feet high and sloping, fired 
over the heads of our troops on the banks and in the city, 
when the shells did not fall short on account of defective 
ammunition, and the Confederate artillery from Marye's 
Heights fired over them and into them. 

During the action the headquarters of Generals Burnside 
and Hooker were at the Phillips house, and of Sumner at 
the Lacey house. The latter stood on the north bank 
of the Rappahannock, directly opposite Fredericksburg. 

They met the enemy first on the plain, then he withdrew 
to the Heights after the rifle pits had been taken by the regi- 
ments who volunteered to cross over in boats, while the 
bridge was being built. The turnpike to Fredericksburg 
crosses the plain half a mile from the river, and between 
it and the Heights extends the railroad. There was a canal 
in the rear of the town, which the troops must cross before 
making the attack on Marye's Heights, which conducted the 
waters of the Rappahannock River at Falmouth to the lower 
end of Fredericksburg for manufacturing purposes. At the 
base of the bluff was a sunken road which sheltered numbers 
of Confederates. Half way up the ridge they hid behind a 
trench, and on the crest were the breastworks and artillery. 
There was not the least chance of an attacking column car- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 465 

rying the position. While other attacks were in progress 
General Butterfield was ordered to attack and break the 
enemy's line and carry the Heights on his front. 

The crowded streets of the city proved a great impedi- 
ment to the passage of the artillery. Batteries were placed 
in position on the left side of Hanover Street on the right 
and left of the point of attack. 

The historian of the Fifth Corps says of the Battery : — 

"The 5th ^Vlass. crossed the river at 4 p. m. on the 13th and was 
placed in an advanced position near the centre of the corps line between 
the poor house and some brick yards, and opened fire at about six hun- 
dred yards from the stone wall. After dark, having fired 107 rounds of 
shrapnell and shell, the Battery was withdrawn, under orders, to the 
city, but returned to the same position on the 14th. remaining until 
after dark on the 15th, when it was withdrawn, and early on the i6th 
recrossed the river and returned to its camp." 

At the time of this attack at the stone wall, General 
Andrew A. Humphreys commanding the 3d Division Fifth 
Corps, describes its appearance as "a sheet of flame that 
enveloped the head and flanks of the column." 

On the 15th the enemy still holding the Heights held the 
town. General Butterfield held the portion of Fredericks- 
burg extending from the Rappahannock River on the right 
to Hanover Street, and was ordered to put it into a state 
of defense. 

In the disposition of the troops General Griffin held the 
left to Fauquier Street. Captain Stephen H. Weed, Chief 
of Artillery of the Fifth Corps, was charged with the dis- 
tribution of the batteries. 

After dark of the 15th earthworks were constructed be- 
tween the streets which w^ere barricaded for artillery, but at 
4 a. m. of the i6th General Burnside ordered the withdrawal 
of the Army from Fredericksburg. This was accomplished 
at 8 o'clock a. m., in a storm of hail and rain but in perfect 
order. When they removed the pontoons they did so as 
noiselessly as possible, and the enemy was surprised the next 
morning to find they had all crossed and the bridges were 
gone. 



4GG HISTORY OF THE 



THE MONUMENT. 

At the Thirty-First Annual Reunion of the Society of the 
Army of the Potomac, held at Fredericksburg, Va. May 
25th and 26th, 1900, General Daniel Butterfield announced 
his intention to erect in the National Cemetery on the field 
of Fredericksburg, a monument to the honor of the Fifth 
Army Corps, and in memory of the honored dead of that 
Corps. 

In the afternoon of the 26th the corner-stone was laid by 
the Masonic Lodge of Fredericksburg in which George 
Washington was made a Mason. The act was performed 
with a silver trowel on which was engraved a representation 
of the proposed monument. Brevet Colonel Horatio C. 
King presided. 

These ceremonies took place on Marye's Heights, in the 
presence of the Society, the President of the United States, 
his Cabinet, members of congress, heads of Departments 
and other guests. 

The number of Union men engaged was 30,000. Of 
these over 16,000 are buried there, 14,000 in unknown 
graves, in the words of General Edward Hill who made the 
address, "buried where they fell. In time their honored 
bones found sepulture on these terraced heights." He 
quotes General Butterfield in his presence as saying: — 

"I have always felt that the magnificent services of the Fifth Corps. 
on the occasion of the battle of Fredericksburg, as well as on other 
fields, deserve a lasting memorial. As I read the order issued by me 
after the battle, (see p. 519) I feel today the same heartfelt appreciation 
that it expresses, and it gives me great pleasure to place a lasting memo- 
rial of enduring granite, to record my feeling toward the Fifth Corps, — 
whom I had the great honor to command in that battle, — over the 
graves, not only of the many brave men of the corps who are buried 
there, but also in honor of all the gallant and splendid soldiers in that 
famous battle." 

General Hill was an officer of the Fifth Corps who par- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 467 

ticipated in the battle. He closed his address with the fol- 
lowing words : — 

"This column of imperishable granite, bearing the insignia of the 
Fifth Army Cordis, the Maltese Cross, garlanded with laurel and oaken 
wreaths, emblematic of fame and victory, crowned with the ball of in- 
folding fire, will carry down the ages the story of Fredericksburg, and 
forever stand a monument to the lofty patriotism and military ardor of 
the founder, an incentive to noble deeds, a glorious tribute to the brave 
men of the Fifth Corps who fell in defense of the flap that from reveille 
to retreat bends above this consecrated ground." 

The Monnnient was dedicated May 30, 1901, with ap- 
propriate ceremonies in which the Society of the Fifth 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac, as a Ixxly. participated. 

THE MEMBERS' STORY. 

After Reporting to General Morell. 

Notes of Lieut. Scott: "Reaching Sharpsbiirg on the nth 
of October, 1862. we took our place with the Artillery 
Brigade of Morell's Divison 5th Corps." 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. 

Oct. II, 1862. 

He (Gen. Morell) seemed glad we had got up, and told 
us to go into camp where we were, which we did. Last 
night it rained, and tomorrow when the ground gets dried 
I shall move ahead a mile, near the rest of the Division. 
Everything is very quiet, and no enemy around." 

Phillips' Diary: "Sunday Oct. 12, 1862. ]\Ioved camp a 
mile to the front near Gen. Morell's Head Quarters." 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 11. . . . Detailed for guard 3d re- 
lief p. m. Oct. 12. . . . Camped about a mile and a half 
from Sharpsburg, Md." 

Phillips' Diary : "Tuesday, Oct. 14th. Sent Scott to Har- 



468 HISTORY OF THE 

per's Ferry after horses. Oct. 15: Scott returned with 11 
horses. All quiet." 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. 
Thursday Evening, Oct. 16, 1862. 

Griffin's Brigade, four of Hazlett's guns, and two of 
Martin's with considerable cavalry, went over the river to- 
day on a reconnoissance. We have heard more or less firing 
all day. The long expected event, the rising of the river, 
seems close at hand. We have got an oven built and had 
some baked beans this morning. We can get soft bread at 
Sharpsburg, but the meanest bread I ever tasted, dry and 
tasteless as sawdust." 

On Friday the Reconnoissance, which was sent across the 
river the day before returned with no news of importance, 
and the commanding officer of the Battery received the fol- 
lowing circular: — 

FROM CHIEF QUARTERMASTER CHARLES B. NORTON. 

Circular. Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, 

Near Sharpsburg, Md. 

Oct. 17, 1862. 

It having been ascertained that Trains have gone to the various 
depots for supplies without a commissioned officer in charge, notice is 
again given that it is absolutely necessary that such an officer should 
accompany all Trains. 

On the first day of each month Division Quartermasters will send 
to these Head Quarters a consolidated report of all Quartermasters' 
Stores and estimates of funds, in detail, required in their Divisions for 
the month then current. This report is necessary in order that the 
wants of the Coros may be known in sufficient time to be ordered to 
the nearest depot. Regimental and Brigade Head Quarters will inform 
the Division Quartermaster of their wants in season, so that the Di- 
vision Quartermaster can send in his report on the day mentioned. 
Brigade Quartermasters wU make requisitions on Capt. Alex. Bliss 
A. Q. M, at Harper's Ferry, Va., for one wagon in addition to the pres- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 469 

ent allowance, which will be used exclusively for the transportation of 
medical stores of the Brigade. 

Hereafter supplies of all kinds can be obtained at Harper's Ferry, 
on requisitions properly approved. Brigade Quartermasters can inform 
themselves by telegfraph as to what there is on hand at the Depot. But 
few stores will be sent to Frederick and Hagerstown. Transportation 
will be always kept in condition for an immediate move. 

Division Quartermasters will send copies of this circular to Quar- 
termasters of Brigades who will furnish each Regimental Quartermas- 
ter with a copy of the same. 

By command of Major General Fitz John Porter. 

(Signed) Charles B. Norton, 
Lt. Col. Chief Quartermaster, 

5th Ariiiv Corps. 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 19, the Battery was inspected by 
Captain Martin." 

SPECIAL ORDERS. 

Head Quarters 
Morrell's Division, Camp 
near Sharpsburg, Md. 
Oct. 20, 1862. 
Special Orders 
No. 257. 

In accordance with instructions from Head Quarters, Battery E, 
Mass. Artillery, Lieut. Phillips commanding, is hereby detailed to re- 
lieve Captain Diedrichs' Battery no\/ on duty with 3d. Brigade. 
Relief will be made by 9 a. m. tomorrow. 

By command of Brig. General Griffin. 

Francis S. Earle, 



Ass't. Ad ft. Gen' I. 



Capt. ]Martin. Lieut. Phillips. 



PHILLIPS' COMPANY ORDER. 

Lieut. Phillips, when he issued the following order must 
have been of the same mind as General, then Major, 
Thomas W. Hyde of the 7th Maine Infantry, who said that 
"the clean and careful soldier is also pretty sure to make a 
g"ood officer." 



470 HISTORY OF THE 

Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. 

October 20, 1862. 
Company Orders. 
No. 7. 
The Battery will be formed in line for inspection tomorrow morn- 
ing at 8 o'clock. 

The drivers' valises will be strapped on the saddles. After the Bat- 
tery is dismissed the men will remain in uniform, and keep round the 
quarters until the camp and quarters have been inspected. Everything 
is expected to remain neat and clean during the day. The men are 
expected to have as much anxiety as the commander that th'e Battery 
should obtain a good name. 

Charles A. Phillips ist Lieut. 
Com'd'g Battery E. Mass. Artiller}'. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

''Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. 

Evening Oct. 20, 1862. 

I have received a copy of a Special Order from McClel- 
lan's Hd. Ors. honorably discharging Captain Allen from 
the service, dated Oct. 17th. . . . The programme for to- 
morrow was an inspection of the Division Batteries, camps, 
company books, &c., &c., by Lieut Col. (Alex. S.) Webb to 
commence at 8 o'clock. I have just received orders, how- 
ever, to relieve Captain Diedrichs' Battery (Otto Diedrichs. 
A, I St Battalion N. Y.) Dutch, 20 pdr. Parrotts, now with 
the Third Brigade — Butterfield's — at the mouth of Antie- 
tam. Relief to be made at 9 o'clock. I shall start at 8. 1 
am rather sorry to miss the inspection, as I can show the 
cleanest battery and the neatest camp, except, perhaps. 
Hazlett's, of all the Batteries. 

I would recommend for Junior 2d Lieut, ist Sergt. Joseph 
E. Spear of Quincy. He started as Corporal but his Serg't 
being sick, took entire charge of his piece at Gaines Mills 
and brought it off safely, entirely by his own efforts. Upon 
the reorganization of the Battery I made him ist Sergt. He 
is only 19 years old, but I am not likely to blame any one 
for their youth." 



TIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 471 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 20, 1862. Usual drill a. m. and 
drilled by sections : hitched up p. m. Broke the pole of our 
caisson 4th Detachment. A good, lively, drill. Official 
notice of the acceptance of Captain Allen's resignation read 
in line at Roll Call p. m." 

Shackley's Notes: "On the 21st of October the Battery 
was ordered to Antietam, and placed in position to defend 
the neighborhood where the battle took place." 

ACCOUNT OF OCT. 21ST IN LETTER OF 

Lieut. Phillips Oct. 26th. 

"Camp near the mouth of the 

Antietam^ Oct. 26, 1862. 
On Tuesday morning agreeably to orders from General 
Griffin, commanding Division, General Morell being absent, 
we marched at 8 o'clock. We returned back to the centre of 
Sharpsburg and then turned to the right. At 9 we crossed 
the Antietam, near the mouth, on a stone bridge, and turned 
to the left. Just above the bridge there is a dam across the 
Antietam, making quite an extensive mill pond. Close by, 
on the left bank, are the ruins of the Antietam Iron Works. 
Some 8 or 10 houses are scattered round in the vicinity. 
Proceeding a short distance along the creek we found Cap- 
tain Diedrichs' Battery on top of a hill on the right. I 
waited till he had hauled his guns down, and then put mine 
in their place, and pitched my camp. . . . The roads have 
so far been excellent, but let the mud once prevail, and then 
farewell to all hopes of an 'onward movement.' There are 
no signs of moving round here, everything is very quiet and 
has been so for the last month." 

The same date account of Oct. 23d &c. : "Thursday after- 
noon, Capt. (Elijah D.) Taft of the 5th N. Y. Battery, ar- 
rived with four 20 pdr. Parrotts, which he placed on the hill 
with mine. On Friday forenoon we were inspected by 



472 HISTORY OF THE 

Lieut. Col. Webb, and after inspection I moved my guns 
farther down river, where I had a better command of the 
ford." 



LETTER OE SERG'T. PEACOCK. 

"Camp near Antietam, Md. 

Oct. 23, '62. 
We are on top of Antietam Hill, almost a mountain, our 
Guns in position all ready for action. The hill commands 
the Ford at this point of the river. We were up all last 
night by our Guns, but the Rebs gave up the attempt they 
made to cross. The weather is very cool up here, particu- 
larly when we have no regular tents to sleep under. There 
are only a few shanties and one large Iron Works in this 
place, and but few traces of the late battle to be seen. We 
are so short of men that it keeps us at work all the time 
running the machine. I have made up my mind to stop the 
remainder of my three years, for the War will not end 
sooner than that time." 



Chase's Diary: "Oct. 23, 1862. Routed out with the 4th 
Detachment at i o'clock this morning to man the guns. 
Each Detachment stood guard an hour in turn through the 
night. Indications of the approach of the enemy caused the 
alarm. All quiet through the night. Oct. 24th. . . . Can- 
noneers removed their quarters nearer the guns in the p. m. 
Detailed for guard 2d Relief p. m." 

Phillips' Letter of Oct. 26 continued: "Taft's guns are 
placed on a very high hill commanding a view for miles. 
The sides of the hill are as steep as the roof of a house. My 
tent is placed on a sort of terrace which runs round the hili, 
while Captain Taft had to dig out a place for his. My guns 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 473 

are in a little hollow between two hills. In front of them 
the ground slopes gently for loo yards, then tumbles into a 
stone quarry, and then comes a level meadow to the river. 
. . . No enemy in sight, not even any picket firing. One 
of the Batteries of the Divison has been firing a few shots 
this afternoon, but after looking on, I have come to the con- 
clusion that they were firing at the other side of the river 
and succeeded in hitting it." 



Chase's Diary: "Oct. 26, 1862. Sunday. No inspection 
today and guard mounting and roll call omitted this p. m. 
Orders to cook two days' rations late p. m. On fatigue duty 
about an hour bringing water, and hanging the baggage- 
wagon in the evening. Thoroughly drenched with rain." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near the Mouth of the Antietam, 

Oct. 26, 1862. 

Altogether the situation is a very pleasant one, and I am 
not sorry for the change. We have got a good oven, and 
have our baked beans regularly. As cold weather is coming 
on we have been trying various contrivances for warming 
up, but cannot get rid entirely of the smoke. At present we 
have a fireplace resembling very much a hole in the ground, 
from which the smoke is conducted by an underground rail- 
road to a chimney outside. The chimney being as yet in an 
unfinished state, it does not draw to complete satisfaction 
hut tomorrow we shall raise the chimnev a few feet, when 
we expect the apparatus to be entirely successful." 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 26, 1862, night cold and rainy and 
the tent leaky. Oct. 27th. Pleasant about 11 o'clock a. m. 
No drill today. Built a fireplace for my tent this p. m. 
\\\irks to a charm. Oct. 29 : Usual drill a. m. and a drill 
hitched up p. m. The 5th Detachment upset their caisson 



474 HISTORY OF THE 

while drilling, and practised dismounting the spare wheel. 
Righted the caisson and came to camp." 

Phillips' Diary has it "At section drill the side of the 
caisson was broken and middle rails." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Antietam 
Iron Works, Oct. 29, 1862. 
Our stove has at last been completed to our satisfaction. 
I deployed the contrabands on it and built a chimney 7 or 8 
feet high, and it now draws hugely : in fact I do not think 
the contrabands appreciate it as much as we do, considering 
the amount of wood it consumes. The men are all pretty 
well supplied with fireplaces and chimneys of unique if not 
elegant pattern; chimneys of stones, bricks, mud, and iron 
pi]}es, one of them finished off with the bellows nozzle from 
the blast furnace near by; stoves of mud and sheet iron; 
stoves above ground and stoves below ground ; stoves within 
doors, and stoves without doors; stoves that heat and stoves 
that don't; stoves that smoke and stoves that don't; and in 
short every variety of stoves. . . . Thinking that things 
looked like a permanent stay, I have had a chair made of a 
different pattern from the famous chair of Yorktown (see 
p. 228) but about as comfortable. The frame is of chest- 
nut, the bottom and back of grain bags, and the whole ar- 
rangement is very luxurious. I have only one fault to find. 
When I put it in my tent there is no room for anything else. 
In the middle of the day it is quite warm and comfortable 
out of doors, but evenings I prefer to sit inside. Night 
'before last it was quite cold, the water freezing in our wash 
bowls. We always have our tent pretty warm when we turn 
in, but it gets quite cold before morning. However, I take 
advantage of my position, and instead of turning out at 
reveille I lie abed till the contrabands have got the fire 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 475 

going. The canal is now in operation to this point and we 
are in hopes of getting some hay for our horses, "at present 
they have it about a third of the time. Artillery horses have 
a pretty hard time of it these cold nights. They have to 
stand out doors without any shelter, have a scant supply of 
food, and when on the march a large supply of work. They 
thin out under the treatment amazingly. 

I hear that General Burnside has crossed the river below. 
This afternoon I thought I would have a drill, instead of 
keeping my guns idly staring at the opposite bank, and the 
exercises were varied by capsizing a caisson. They were on 
a side hill when the whole concern, horses and all, wxnt over. 
The wheel driver executed some airy manoeuvres not laid 
down in the book, but got off without any serious damage. 
The caisson was somewhat broken but will be repaired by 
morning. . . . Brig. Gen'l. Butterfield, it is said, has been 
appointed to the command of a Division under Burnside, 
and his Brigade is now commanded by Col. Stockton of the 
i6th Michigan." 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 30, 1862. The 2d Mass. Regiment 
with Gordon's Brigade, Gen. Banks's Corps, bivouacked 
near our camp last night, having marched from Maryland 
Heights. Alet H. Longfellow of the 2d INIass. Regt. Usual 
drill on piece a. m. Hitched up and drilled about 15 min- 
utes. Indications of leaving here tomorrow. A liberal ra- 
tion of potatoes for dinner today. Detailed for guard p. m." 

MARTIN'S UKDER. 

Camp near Harper's Ferry^ Va. 
Oct. 30, 1862 
Lieut. C. A. Phillips, 

Com'd's 5th Mass. Battery. 
Lieut. 

You will please march at 6 o'clock tomorrow morn- 
ing and jom the Division, which is now in camp near Harper's Ferry. 
I neglected to notify you of the march this evening, as I was informed 



476 HISTORY OF THE 

that j'ou would be notified. The bearer of this will remain, and come 
with you as a guide. 

Very Respflly. 

lour obt. serv't, 

A. P. Martin, tapt. 
Com'd'g Div. Artillery. 

On the 30th of October the Fifth Corps commenced its 
march from Sharpsburg to Harper's Ferry where it arri\-ed 
on the 31st, and found there the snpphes which were needed 
to render the campaign effective that McClehan had planned 
to intercept Lee. The entire Army crossed the Potomac at 
points convenient for the several Corps. McClellan sought 
by moving South and occupying the Gaps of the Blue Ridge 
to force Lee to fight him where he chose to give battle. 

Scott's Notes: "October 31st the Army moved to Har- 
per's Ferry and crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah Riv- 
ers and camped on Loudon Heights, Va." 

Phillips' Diary: "Friday Oct. 31, 1862. The Division 
marched last night. General Griffin in command, General 
Morell having been relieved. Somehow no orders were sent 
to me. This morning received orders to join them. Started 
at 6 a. m. and after trying the shore road concluded to go 
round by Burkittsville to Berlin. Passed Brooks' Division, 
Franklin's Corps, and camped near Berlin. Sat. Nov. ist. 
Marched to Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac and • 
Shenandoah, and joined the Division about 4 miles from the 
river." 

Chase's Diary: "Oct. 31, 1862. On guard last night 3d 
Relief. Drivers harnessed up about 9 o'clock last night, and 
awaited orders till 11 p. m., when they unharnessed and 
remained in camp all night. Reveille at 5 o'clock this morn- 
ing. Hitched up and broke camp and marched about 
6 o'clock a. m. Marched about a mile towards Harper's 
Ferry, then countermarched, halted, and watered the horses. 
The road ahead blocked up by baggage wagons. A bounti- 
ful breakfast of baked beans this morning. Delightful 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 477 

morning. Battery took another road and continued the 
march over the mountains. Marched through Burkittsville 
and Petersboro' and camped about a mile from the latter. 
The 5th New York marched ahead of us all day. Saw large 
numbers of troops moving today. Camped opposite Mary- 
land Heights and Harper's Ferry. Very pleasant march 
and the weather delightful." 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Snickers Gap, Nov. 3, 1862. . . . Yesterday marched to 
this place and camped. Have not seen the rebels yet. Por- 
ter's Corps is all here. Breakfasted this morning on boiled 
goose and beefsteak. 

REVIEW OF THE WEEK. 

Nov. 4, 1862. Last Friday afternoon we received orders 
to be ready to march at short notice. I made all my prep- 
arations and waited. About 9 o'clock in the evening I 
found that Stockton's Brigade had left, and also that the 
rest of the Division was on the march down the river road. 
I sent Lull down to make observations, and he reported that 
the rear guard had just passed, going down to Harper':. 
Ferry. So I went to bed. About midnight an orderly 
came back from Captain Martin, (see p. 475) stating they 
were in camp lYi miles from Harper's Ferry, and ordering 
me to rejoin them in the morning. It seems General Morel! 
had been relieved of his command and in the confusion they 
had forgotten to send me my orders. So the next morning 
I hitched up and started. About a mile doAvn the road I 
ran into the tail end of the wagon train of the Division. 
They had been on the road all night with a prospect of 
waiting all day. Disgusted at this state of things I turned 
back and started on the river road. We passed through a 



478 HISTORY OF THE 

Gap in South Mts. where we found a beautiful prospect. 
The woods were colored up magnificently, and presented a 
splendid sight. About noon the road turned into another 
where we ran into Slocum's Division on the march. We 
contrived to get in ahead of their wagon train and pushed 
on. They soon stopped for dinner, and we passed them 
and kept on for Berlin, where I understood the Division had 
been ordered. We crossed another range of hills, and 
passed through Burkittsville at the foot. Here we made a 
short halt to allow the column to close up. The village 
w^as full of wounded soldiers. About 4 p. m, we passed 
through Petersville and camped about a mile from Berlin. 
I have learnt that the Division had crossed at Harper's 
Ferry. Sunday morning I struck across country for Har- 
per's Ferry. Within a short distance of this place I ran 
into a wagon train which delayed us for some time. After 
a while we got by, crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah 
on pontoon bridges, passed around the base of Loudon 
Heights, and gradually getting up hill, pushed for the in- 
terior. About 4 miles from Harper's Ferry I found the 
Division and went into camp along^side \A^aterman. Rec'd 
an order from Gen. Butterfield assuming command of the 
Division. The next morning we marched in the following 
order : — 

I St Sykes's Div'n. 2d Humphreys' Div'n. 3d But- 
terfield's Div'n. 4th Sykes's wagons. 5tli Humphreys' 
wagons. 6th Butterfield's wagons. 7th Rear Guard, 2d 
Maine and Lieut. Scott's Section. 

The Division in this order : — 

1st Third Brigade. 2d W^aterman's Battery. 3d First 
Brigade. 4th Martin's Battery. 5th U. S. Sharpshoot- 
ers. 6th Phillips' Battery. 7th 2d Brigade. 8th Haz- 
lett's Battery. 

We marched off at a smart rate keeping the Blue Ridge 
on our right. By dusk we had made about 15 miles and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 479 

camped near Snicker's Gap. The country is very good for 
foraging, and most of the men have had plenty of goose, 
mutton, pork and chicken. Last night we got orders to 
have three days' rations in our haversacks, but have not 
moved yet. Sykes is up in the Gap, and yesterday Pleas- 
anton drove the Rebs over the Shenandoah. A httle can- 
nonading, but nothing important." 

NOTES OF LIEUT. SCOTT. 
From Harper's Ferry to White Plains. 

"On the 2d of November the 2d Maine Regt. acting as 
rear guard with my section of the 5th Battery, I had an all 
night's march to Snicker's Gap of the Blue Ridge Moun- 
tains. The night was fearfully cold, and we moved rapidly. 
Nothing occurred on our march from Snicker's Gap to 
White Plains, where we camped for the night in a raging 
snow storm. During the day the Battery halted in front 
of a fine country residence. The men ransacked the place. 
They found sweet potatoes covered up in the garden, over- 
turned a bee-hive, and we saw the men with honey from the 
honey-comb running down their faces regardless of the 
stinging bees. A pig was chased and caught, but had to be 
given up. Rights must be respected. It was amusing to say 
the least." 

THE BEES' BUSY DAY. 
NOTES OF SERGT. WM. H. BAXTER. 

Oct. 15, 1900. 

"Time and place have passed from memory, but the scene 
is vivid before me. — A deserted farm house of the Old Vir- 
ginia type, pleasantly situated on a knoll, rising gradually 
from the road, and surrounded by stately trees, with old 



480 HISTORY OF THE 

fashioned flowers growing along the path up to the front 
door. 

The writer was not much interested in the surroundings, 
nor at that time much interested in the sentiment of the 
flowers. They looked pretty; still the attraction w^as at the 
rear of the house, where about 50 of the boys were assem- 
bled, all talking at once, trying to devise a plan to get the 
honey from 9 bee hives, which were ranged in a row across 
the front of the vegetable garden. 

As the writer swung around the corner of the house, a 
shout went up, — 'Here comes Baxter!' 

After viewing the situation a moment, we took two 
clothes poles, fastening one across the end of the other at 
right angles, giving us a battering ram covering, say, four 
of the hives. It was arranged that the writer should push 
the hives over, while the boys should jump in and get the 
honey, but at the moment of applying the battering ram, it 
occurred to the writer 'where do I come in?' so instead of 
pushing the hives over and waiting for some one to get the 
honey, I just pushed and jumped at the same time, landing 
squarely in the mess, and it did not take many seconds to fill 
my haversack with honey, bees, dirt, and beeswax. But, 
suffering humanity! I reached the conclusion as I crawled 
out of the mob, that what bees I did not sweep into my 
haversack with the honey, wax and dirt, had crawled into 
my hair and down my neck, and at every prod of a stinger 
I could see stars and black spots on the sun, and I ran up to 
Lieut. Spear, who came riding into the yard at that moment. 
He whacked me on the head, back, and everywhere I desig- 
nated that a bee was getting his work in. It was laugh- 
able, his following me around that yard, giving me a whack 
here and there, but I couldn't stand still, the bees were too 
busy. Upon getting shed of the bees and greasing the jabs 
with my pork ration, we started along for the Battery, but 
on approaching the gate at the head of the lane in rear of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 481 

the liouse, there was old General Griffin, sitting stolidly on 
his horse, with the Provost Marshal beside him scooping in 
as they passed through the gate all who had taken part in 
the raid on the potato mines and bee hives. The writer put 
on a sweet Sunday school face and like 'Mary's little lamb' 
passed through in safety. That evening in camp we had a 
feast. Fried pork spread over with a mixture of honey and 
dirt, with a bee or two for fresh meat, and a little beeswax 
to make a good chew to the whole, was a feast fit for any- 
body when one could not get any better, and fully repaid all 
the suffering caused by meddling with the business end of 
those Virginia bees." 



Chase notes in his Diary Nov. 8, 1862, on the march they 
passed some of General Sigel's troops in camp. On the 
9th Serg't. Morgridge and other convalescents returned to 
the Battery. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Warrenton^ Va. 

Nov. 9, 1862. 

Thursday morning Nov. 6th we left Snicker's Gap. In 
the order for marching it said no communication hereafter 
with Harper's Ferry. The Rebels followed our rear guard 
occupying the Gap after we left it. In the afternoon we 
passed through Middleburg and saw plenty of Secesh uni- 
forms, wounded and paroled, about the streets. That night 
we camped in the fields. The weather was quite cold and 
raw. The next morning we marched a few miles, to Rector- 
ville or White Plains, arriving about 9 o'clock. Before our 
tents were pitched it commenced to snow and continued 
through the day. It was quite warm and comfortable. 
The next morning we marched to New Baltimore. This 



482 HISTORY OF THE 

morning we started at six and arrived here at about 8. We 
have not yet seen any Rebels." 

THE COMMAND OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 

Head Quarters 
Army of the Potomac, 
Warrenton, Va. Nov. 9, 1862. 

General Orders 

No. I. 

Extracts. 
In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the Presi- 
dent of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of 
the Potomac. . . . With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confi- 
dence in the unswervable loyalty and determination of the gallant 
Army now intrusted to my care. I accept its control with the steadfast 
assurance that the just cause must prevail. 

A. E. BURNSIDE 

Major General Commanding. 



Corporal Shackley in his Notes of the 9th observed that 
the removal of General McClellan "caused much dissatisfac- 
tion in men of Democratic sympathies." 

(To be read to the' Company before the Review.) 

McCLELLAN'S FAREWELL TO THE ARAIY OF THE 

POTOMAC. 

Head Quarters, 
Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Rectortown, Va. 

Nov. 7, 1862. 

Officers and Soldiers 

of the Army of the Potomac : 

An Order of the President devolves upon Major General Burn- 
side the command of this Army. 

In parting from you, I cannot express the love and gratitude I bear 
to you. As an army you have grown up under my care. In you I have 
never found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under 
my command will proudly live in our nation's history. The glory you 
have achieved, our mutual perils and fatigues, the graves of our com- 
rades fallen in battle, and by disease, the broken forms of those whom 
wounds and sickness have disabled, — the strongest associations whi.h 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 483 

can exist among men, — unite us still by an indissoluble tie. We shall 
ever be comrades in supporting the Constitution of our Country, and 
the nationality of its people. 

Geo. B. McClellan, 
Maj. Gen' I. U. S. A. 



Chase's Diary: "Nov. lo, 1862. Camp in the direction 
of Warrenton. Reveille at half past 5 o'clock this morning. 
Delightful morning. General McClellan' s farewell address 
to the Army read to us in line this morning. Company 
called in line with the other troops to give our old General 
a parting cheer as he passed us. McClellan with other 
generals passed us about 9 o'clock. Martin's Battery fired 
a salute as they approached. General Bnrnside takes com- 
mand of the Army, and his address to the troops was read 
to us in line this p. m." 



Nov. II, 1862, under the cartel a large number of pris- 
oners were exchanged, officers and privates : of the privates 
the balance due the United States was 6000. 

Chase's Letter: *'Camp near Warrenton, Va., Nov. 11, 
1862 : Ere this reaches you, you will know that General 
McClellan has been called from the field, and that General 
Burnside now has command of the Army. We regret to 
lose the leader who has taken us into so much danger and 
taken us out safely, but if he is to take new and increased 
responsibilities upon himself, then we are satisfied. Mc- 
Clellan has the confidence of the whole Army, and I think, 
with few exceptions, the love of the people. He has been 
kicked about more than any other man in the Army, yet he 
has always been ready to extricate the Army from the traps 
and snarls in which the ambitious generals have placed it. 
He has cleaned up all their bad work, and the Army is again 
in the field with solid ranks. 

Our march here was a very pleasant one. We came via 
Harper's Ferry, a place I have always wanted to see, not on 



484 HISTORY OF THE 

account of its being the scene of John Brown's short cam- 
paign, but the sublimity of its natural scenery. It is an old 
proverb, 'See Naples, then die,' but I would say, see Har- 
per's Ferry, then be. willing to die, and if you can live yet 
longer then all the better. It is worth a year's service to 
visit that place. We halted there about two hours, which 
eave me a fine chance to look around. There seems to be 
no regularity about the mails of late, and when a mail leaves 
we generally have about half an hour's notice. . . . Please 
ask Mrs. T. if she will send me a darning-needle next letter, 
as I am greatly in need of one." 



"I parted from my brave old corps; 'twere matter, lad, for tears." 
John Boyle O'Reilly. — Uncle Ned's Tale. 

PORTER'S FAREWELL ORDER. 

Head Quarters 
5TH Army Corps. 
Camp near Warrenton, Va. 
Nov. 12, 1862. 
General Orders 
No. 25. 

By direction of the President of the United States, Major General 
Hooker has been assigned to the command of this Corps. 

It has been my privilege to lead the little band of regulars, the per- 
manent Army of the United States, inheriting the names, the records, 
and the traditions of regiments that have borne the banner of our coun- 
try through all its wars. 

It has been my privilege to lead noble regiments of volunteers, 
coming from dififerent states, but becoming equally national through 
having the same purpose, the same dangers, and the same suffering. 

Having shared their perils and privations in the camp, in the 
bivouac, on the march, and in half a score of bloody fields : to the of- 
ficers and men of both classes I address myself. 

The confidence, which if I may judee by your acts, you have reposed 
in me, it has been my earnest effort to meet and requite. The per- 
sonal regard which I am proud to feel that you bear towards me, is 
reciprocated by an ardent afifection and a deep respect, which time can- 
not efface. The personal good fortune of each of you will be always a 
matter of heartfelt interest to me. The professional successes you will 
attain will be doubly grateful to me, inasmuch as they will be identified 
with the success of our cause. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 485 

Among the most gratifying of my thoughts of you will be the as- 
surance that your subordination and loyalty will remain in the future 
as in tne past, firm and steadfast to our country and its authorities. 

F. J. Porter, 
Major General. 

General Fitz John Porter took leave of the Fifth Corps 
at 4 p. m. and the same evening left for Washington. 

At each leavetaking Martin's 3d J\Iass. Battery fired the 
national salute of 13 guns, a salute of honor for the retiring 
commander, as he rode past. 

Chase's Diary: "Nov. 11, 1862. Eight hard crackers for 
a day's ration today. 

Nov. 12. In camp all day. Battery called in line to bid 
farewell to Major General Fitz John Porter this p. m. . . . 
General Porter appeared to be much affected, and his fare- 
well address was read to us by Captain Martin. 

Weather mild and cloudy. Beef steak for dinner!! No 
meat served out to us except salt pork for the last ten days, 
until today. Short rations of bread again today. Bought 
bread for 5 cts. per lb. from commissary. Entered upon my 
arduous and responsible duties as 2d Corporal of the 2d De- 
tachment this p. m. Nov. 13 : Posted guard last night, last 
half. Morning cold and windy. Drilled on manual of the 
piece." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Warrenton, Va. 

Nov. 13, 1862. 

The events of the last few days have made quite an altera- 
tion in the appearance of things. On Monday we were 
astonished to hear that General McClellan had been re- 
lieved and General Burnside placed in command. At 9 
o'clock in the forenoon Porter's Corps was drawn up on the 
eastern side of the Warrenton and Gainesville turnpike and 
Sumner's Corps on the other side, facing inward. Soon 



486 HISTORY OF THE 

after, General McClellan rode through, accompanied by 
General Burnside, General Porter and brigadiers and of- 
ficers of lower grade innumerable. A major general's 
salute was fired, everybody cheered, and then we all went 
home. At II o'clock General McClellan held a levee at 
General Porter's Hd. Qrs., where the customary handshak- 
ing took place, and then he left. 

So ended the second removal of General McClellan. Of 
course there is a diversity of opinion and feeling on the sub- 
ject. . . . The siege of Yorktown I pronounced a failure at 
the time. After the battle of Williamsburg I thought, and 
still think, that McClellan could have followed the enemy 
into Richmond. . . . The Army was never in better health 
or condition than while we were lying idle on the Potomac ; 
the roads were never better. Why we did not move I can- 
not say. . . . Following close, came the removal of General 
Porter. Everybody knew that he must follow General 
McClellan, but nobody knew exactly how it would be 
brought about. General Porter re-enacted General McClel- 
lan's departure in his own : the Corps was all drawn up, 
salute fired, and cheers given. As he passed the batteries 
he shook hands with Captain Martin and bade him good 
bye. General Hooker has assumed command. We now 
belong to Butterfield's Division, Hooker's 5th Army Corps." 

GENERAL ORDER RESPECTING THE OBSERVANCE OF 

THE SABBATH DAY IN THE ARMY 

AND NAVY. 

Executive Mansion, 
Washington, November 15, 1862. 

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, desires 
and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sabbath, by the officers and 
men in the military and naval service. The importance for man and 
beast of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of Christian sol- 
diers and sailors, a becoming deference to the best sentiment of a 
Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine will, demand that 
Sunday labor in the Army and Navy be reduced to the measure of 
strict necessity. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 487 

The discipline and character of the national forces should not suffer, 
nor the cause the-'- defend be imperilled, by the profanation of the day 
or name of the Most High. 

"At this time of public distress" — adopting the words of Washing- 
ton in 1776 — "men may find enough to do in the service of God and 
their country without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.'' 
The first General Order issued by the Father of his Country after the 
Declaration of Independence, indicates the spirit in which our institu- 
tions were founded, and should ever be defended: "The General hopes 
and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as 
becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties 
of his country." 

Abraham Lincoln. 



FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp in the Fields, 

Nov. 20. 1862. 

Last Saturday General Hooker reviewed the Division. 
After it was through he had a reception at General Butter- 
field's Hd. Qrs. While Butterfield was in command of the 
Division he introduced a change in marching orders. He 
published a circular containing six forms for marching as 
follows :— " 

COPIED FROM PHILLIPS DIARY. 

Form I. 

1st P'irst Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

2d Second Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

3d Third Brieade Battery 25 minutes 

4th 1st U. S. S. S. Battery. 
5th Ambulances. 

Form 2. 

1st Second Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

2d i'hird Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

3d 1st U. S. S. S. Battery 10 minutes 

4th 1st Brigade Battery. 
5th Ambulances. 



488 HISTORY OF THE 

Form 3. 

ist Third Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

2d First U. S. S. S. Battery 10 minutes 

3d First Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

4th Second Brigade Battery. 
5th Ambulances. 

Form 4. 

ist ist U. S. S. S. Battery 10 minutes 

2d ist Brigade Batterv 25 minutes 

3d Second Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

4th Third Brigade Battery 25 minutes 

5th Ambulances. 

Form 5. 

ist First Brigade 20 minutes 

2d ist U. S. S. S 5 minutes 

3d All the Batteries 20 minutes 

4th Second Brigade 20 minutes 

5th Third Brigade 20 minutes 

6th Ambulances. 

Form 6. 

ist All the Batteries 20 minutes 

2d Third Brigade 20 minutes 

3d Second Brigade 20 minutes 

4th First Brigade 20 minutes 

5th 1st U. S. S. S 20 minutes 

6th Ambulances. 



FROM LIEUT. PHILLIPS' LETTER. 

"So now it is only necessary to send an order 'The Divi- 
sion will march tomorrow at 6 a. m. in Form i.' Then the 
First Brigade marches at 6 followed by a Battery, the Sec- 
ond Brigade at 6.25, Battery following. Third Brigade 
and a Battery at 6.50. Sharp Shooters at 7.15 &c &c. 
Captain Martin designates the batteries to follow the Bri- 
gades. Monday we marched at 6 in 'Form i,' following 
the Sharp Shooters, and camped about four miles beyond 
Warrenton Junction, having turned off the railroad to the 
left. Tuesday we marched in 'Form 2,' following the Sec- 
ond Brigade, and yesterday we marched in 'Form 3' follow- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 489 

ing the Sharp Shooters. \\'e arrived at this place at 2 
o'clock. 

Camp near Falmouth, Va. Nov. 26, 1862. On the 17th 
we marched down to Warrenton Junction then down the 
railroad towards the Rappahannock a few miles, and then 
struck across country for Fredericksburg. That night we 
camped in the fields. The next day we resumed the march; 
marched about 4 miles and camped. There we remained 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday morning we 
were again on the move. About noon we passed the Artil- 
lery Reserve in camp about 3 miles from Falmouth. We 
then switched off the main road, and leaving Falmouth on 
our right marched through the woods. At 7 o'clock in the 
middle of the woods, dark as midnight, we came to a mud 
hole. Here we stuck : horses got mired, wdieels sank to the 
hub and things looked pleasant. Our horses had had 
nothing to eat for two days. We doubled up — put ten 
horses on a carriage, and hauled through. By 12 we had 
got through. Just be3'ond the mud hole the road was very 
narrow, with a bank about 6 feet high on each side. As 
the Battery wagon came through at full speed with the 
horses on, the drivers missed the road and drove up on the 
bank. As the Battery wagon got well on the top, over it 
went into the road below, and landed bottom side up, the 
pole horses in a heap, and their driver getting out of the 
way with a lame leg. Here was 'a pretty kettle of fish.' 
The Battery wagon weighs over 4000 lbs., and is no easy 
thing to handle. However, we managed to clear the horses, 
and then binding on a rope, we soon righted it. Our camp- 
ing ground fortunately was only about half a mile ahead, 
and we arrived there about 10 o'clock. As we were 
crowded with infantry we moved yesterday about a mile, 
to this spot, where the 4 batteries have a large field all to 
themselves. We are on the northern side of it, and about 
5 miles from the railroad from Acquia Creek to Falmouth, 



490 HISTORY OF THE 

and about six miles from the latter place. It is quite a 
pleasant spot, and we mean to enjoy it while we are here." 

In Corporal Shackley's account of the overturning of the 
Battery wagon he says, "The wheeldriver was so injured as 
to be taken to camp in an ambulance." 

Corporal Chase gives this description : — "Battery de- 
coyed into a narrow road through a slough where most of 
the pieces and caissons were mired in the ruts, and the Bat- 
tery wagon upset, completely inverted. Obliged to double 
up most of the teams to draw out the pieces and caissons. 
Fourteen horses hitched to the 2d Detachment's caisson to 
extricate it. All hands ordered to the rear to right the 
Battery wagon. Succeeded in righting it with ropes and 
levers, and the wdiole Battery went into park about ten 
o'clock p. m. Very scanty rations. Weather clear, cold, 
and frosty. A good night's rest. Marched about seven 
miles today and camped near Falmouth, Va." 

RECRUITING SERVICE. 

Head Quarters 
Centre Grand Division, 
Camp near Potomac Creek, Va. 
Nov. 24, 1862. 
Special Order 
No. II. 

Extract 
... 2d Lieut. Frederick A. Lull, Battery E. Mass. Artillery, is de- 
tailed to proceed to Cambridge, Mass. for the purpose of securing and 
bringing back recruits that are there. 

He will execute this duty with dispatch and rejoin his Battery with- 
out any unnecessary delay. 

By command of 

Major General Hooker. 
(Sd.) Jos. Dickinson, 

Asst. Adjt. General. 
Head Quarters 

5TH Army Corps, 
Nov. 25th, 1862. 
Oir.cial : 

(Sd.) F.W.Perkins, Official: 

^- A. A. G. A. P. Martin Capt. 

Com'd'g Division Art'y. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 491 

Chase's Diary: "Nov. 25, 1862. . . . Lieut. Lull went 
home. On the 25th General Burnside issued a circular con- 
taining the following words : — 

'Hereafter no salute will be fired in this Army unless by authority 
from these Head Quarters.' 

Nov. 26 1862. In camp (near Falmouth by the side of 
the Acquia Creek and Fredericksburg R. R. ) all day, trying 
to live till the 27th, Thanksgiving Day. Scanty rations of 
bread and pork. Weather cold and cloudy. 

Nov. 27th 1862. Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. Ten 
crackers and a ration of fresh beef, boiled, for our rations. 

Nov. 28th 1862. The engine 'Government' passed here 
this a. m. The first one through from Acquia Creek since 
McClellan's retreat. A drill on the piece a. m. 

William Wilcox died today of consumption. Nov. 29. 
Company called in line and after a brief service followed the 
remains of Wm. Wilcox to their final resting place. A 
short drill on the manual of the piece this morning. The 
engine 'Osceola' passed up this morning." 

Corporal Shackley: "William S. Wilcox died Nov. 28, 
1862, and was buried in this place." He was from New 
Bedford. 



FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth^ Va. 

Nov. 30, 1862. 

Things here roll on in a monotonous kind of way. We 
have now been encamped here about a week, doing nothing 
in particular. Everybody expects the Army to move, and 
nobody knows why it does not. I see some of the papers 
are beginning to bring up the old story of Burnside's being 
disappointed by the Quartermaster's Department, the non- 
arrival of the pontoon train, just as they did in McClellan's 



492 HISTORY OF THE 

time. The railroad from Acquia Creek to Falmouth is now 
in running order, and cars run over it daily. Everything 
is apparently ready. Why wait till Jackson has joined Lee 
before attacking? Although the railroad is completed, sup- 
plies are not forwarded very rapidly, five cars being the 
longest train that has gone up yet. The work of unloading 
&c at Acquia Creek does not seem to be pushed very rapidly. 
. . . Meantime we must wait and hope. This forenoon 
was occupied with inspection, which I have every Sunday, if 
possible. My horses are in poor condition, as are all the 
rest of the batteries'. Forage of late has come very irregu- 
larly, and two meals a day has been rather the exception 
than the rule. All the horses out here have been affected 
with a sort of hoof rot, which has troubled the batteries 
very much; some batteries losing 30 or 40 horses. Men 
are about as scarce as horses, in fact I have more horses 
than men. We have now pretty comfortable quarters. Our 
two tents are pitched facing each other, the space between 
enclosed by a high evergreen hedge, with small doors, and a 
fire constantly burning in the middle. 

Dec. I, 1862: The first day of winter and no movement 
yet. General Butterfield is having his tent lined with 
blankets, which does not look like an immediate march. 
1 he men are stockading their tents, building log houses &c. 
These things however do not prove anything. Nobody 
here wants or expects an inactive winter like the last, spent 
in looking at the Rebels. Last night Captain Gibson and 
Quartermaster's Sergeant Upton of the 35th stopped here ail 
night, and I gave up my bed to Captain Gibson, turning my- 
self in on a pile of hay. The guard at our quarters was 
instructed to keep the fire up all night, and by keeping the 
tent open I slept warm with my overcoat on. Our diet now 
is rather monotonous. The usual hard bread forms the 
basis of all culinary attempts. We have some very good 
bread now : salt pork adds an occasional relish to the bill of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 493 

fare, salt beef is now esteemed a delicacy, while potatoes 
and rice are things of the past. This morning we had baked 
beans cooked in our subterranean oven. Tomorrow we ex- 
pect to have broiled salt mackerel, roast beef and other lux- 
uries. Blake ran afoul of a sutler, who had some cheese, 
40 cts. a pound, some chow-chow all engaged by a Brig. 
Gen'l, and ginger cakes. He managed to get a bottle of 
chow-chow and this with cheese and crackers, help down 
our meals considerably. We have now got to roasting meat 
to perfection in a very simple manner. We dig a hole in 
the ground about two feet across, and two feet deep, build a 
fire in it, and when our oven is heated put in the meat in a 
kettle, cover with coals, pile on the dirt and let it roast." 

Chase's Diary: "Dec. i, 1862. . . . Commenced prepar- 
ing winter quarters. Dec. 2. Posted the guard last night, 
first half, and today. \\^eather delightful. Dec. 3d. Drill 
on the piece a. m. Finished stockading, and completed my 
tent for 'Winter Quarters.' " 



GEN'L BARRY TO GOV. ANDREW. 

William F. Barry, Brig. Gen. Inspector of Artillery, in a 
letter to Gov. Andrew dated Washington, D. C. Dec. 3, 
1862, names several Massachusetts batteries, which at dif- 
ferent times had been under his command, including the 
Fifth, and adds : — 

• The officers and men of these batteries have been generally distin- 
guished for a high order of intelligence, for aptitude in acquiring the 
theory and promptness in executing the practice of their special ser- 
vice. They have generally been conspicuous for good discipline, and 
as far as they came under my observation, for courage and conduct 
under fire." 



494 HISTORY OF THE 

General Orders of Dec. 4. 1862. Firing Guns. 

Head Quarters 
Army of the Potomac, Camp 
near Falmouth. Va. 
Dec. 4, 1862. 
Orders : Extracts. 

. . . par. 3. 

In no case, except when firing canister at 
short range, should the fire exceed from each gun one round in two 
minutes ; and that rate should only be reached at critical moments when 
the distance, numbers, and formation of the enemy are such that the 
fire is sure to be effective. 

At all other times one round in four or six minutes is as rapid firing 
as should be permitted. The value of the Rifled Cannon consists prin- 
cipally in its accuracy: accuracy requires careful pointing with close 
observation of the effect, and these require time. Twelve shots in an 
hour at an object over 1000 yards distant, the time being spent in care- 
ful loading and pointing, will produce better results, than fifty shots 
will ordinarily produce from the same gun in the same time. 

The campaign allowance of 250 rounds per gun, carried with the 
Division is calculated to suffice for a general action, and the combats 
which usually precede it, and under ordinary circumstances an officer 
who expends all his ammunition in a few hours, renders himself liable 
to a suspicion that his reckless expenditure was prompted by a desire to 
quit the field. In future, Batteries will not be permitted to leave the 
field or their position under this plea. The guns and cannoneers will 
remain on the ground until ammunition is furnished. As soon as one 
caisson of each section has been emptied, the empty caissons will be 
sent to the rear, under charge of a non-commissioned officer to replen- 
ish at the ammunition train. 

If the expenditure of ammunition continues to be as extravagant 
as heretofore, it will be impossible to keep the Army supplied. . . . 
By command of Maj. Gen'l Burnside. 

Henry J. Hunt Brig. Gen'l, 
Chief of Artillery. 

Chase's Diary: "Dec. 6, 1862. About three inches of 
snow on the ground this morning. Scraped the snow from 
the guns and pieces and hitched up for a general inspection 
a. m. Left park and obliqued into line a few rods from 
camp, and immediately countermarched and returned to 
park and unhitched : 'a false alarm.' Dec. 7, Sunday. Last 
night and today very cold. Frederick Manchester left for 
home today," 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 495 

Chase's Letter of Dec. 8, 1862: "Well, here we are, as 
Lisual. 'waiting,' like Micawber, 'for something to turn up.' 
Shovels, picks and siege guns are as usual going to the 
front, and they may turn up some new feature in the war, 
similar to our old one at Yorktown, several months ago, 
but when the performance is to commence has not yet been 
announced, and in fact we do not think much about it. I 
have entirely outgrown the childish interest I used to take 
in the movements of the Army, and I now take about as 
much interest in war matters as I did in the rise and fall of 
steak, when I was at work for $1.25 per day. 'Variety is 
the spice of life,' and although we have had quite a variety, 
yet there seems to be a sort of sameness to our way of exist- 
ing here, and we want a nczv variety. General Joe Hooker 
now commands our Corps, and as he has been a successful 
fighting man, I trust he will be in future. Thanksgiving 
passed ofif very quietly here. I did not hear of any drunken 
carousals, or sickness from hearty eating. We had nearly 
as much as we could eat of prime mess pork and hard bread, 
and all the various viands we make of it." 

Diary : "Dec. 9th. Inspection of the Battery by Captain 
Weed, 5th regulars, at noon today. Went through a short 
drill in presence of Captains Weed and Martin, and re- 
turned to camp. Three new recruits came to us this even- 
ing. Dec. loth. Ordered to fit our ammunition for ac- 
tion. The 4th Rhode Island Battery broke camp and moved 
to the front p. m. One more recruit came today. Dec. 
nth. Reveille at half past three this morning. Broke 
camp, packed up, and hitched up, and left camp about half 
past six a. m. Cannonading commenced in the direction 
of Fredericks1)urg about five o'clock this morning. . . . 
The ground frozen solid. Bombardment of Fredericksburg, 
with but slight intervals of cessation, from about 5 a. m. 
until 5 p. m. Battery halted about a mile from Fredericks- 
burg and remained hitched up until sunset, when we 



496 HISTORY OF THE 

bivouacked for the night. The city of Fredericksburg on 
fire in several places p. m." 

Captain Phillips' Diary: "Thursday, Dec. ii, 1862. 
Broke camp (near Falmouth, Va.) at daybreak and marched 
towards the river. Batteries had been in position the night 
before and the bridges were thrown over under their fire. 
Our troops crossed towards evening. We camped near the 
river. Abandoned a horse. Dec. 12th. Hitched up all 
day and got about >4 mile nearer the river." 

From Lieut. Scott: "On the morning of the 12th of De- 
cember, 5 days' rations were taken, the Battery hitched up 
and early were on the march towards Fredericksburg, 5 
miles distant. Within two miles of the city we stood all 
day, camping at night in and near a wood, where we suf- 
fered through the night from the cold, chilly atmosphere 
that prevailed. The ground was partly covered with 
snow." 

Chase's Diary: "Dec. 12th. Cannonading in the direc- 
tion of Fredericksburg commenced again this morning 
about 8 o'clock. Left, camp about 9 a. m. and proceeded 
towards Fredericksburg: halted near the R. R. and re- 
mained hitched up until about 4 p. m., when we unhitched 
and bivouacked for the night. An artillery duel across the 
river between the opposing armies this p. m. A brisk can- 
nonading on both sides. Weather perfectly delightful." 

Phillips' Diary Dec. 13th, 1862. "Crossed the river about 
4 p. m. Came into Battery and opened. The enemy fired 
on us from several guns in commanding entrenchments, 
killing Corporal E. M. Platts and several horses. With- 
drew at dark and bivouacked in the city, sleeping in a house. 
Fired about 100 rounds, — 47 Hotchkiss shell, 60 Schenkle 
Perc. Fuze Shrapnell." 

Chase's Diary : "Dec. 13, 1862. Fine morning. Avery 
brisk and heavy cannonading commenced this a. m. about 
9 o'clock. Packed up, and hitched up about half past 8 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 497 

a. m. Heavy cannonading at 12 m. The flank of the 
enemy's artillery plainly visible. A sharp musketry fire, 
apparently in the city, commenced about Yi past 12 p. m. — 
A steady firing of artillery and musketry. An awful battle 
is raging — 3 p. m. — in and about the city. Troops moving 
to the front. Left our camp and moved towards the front 
about yi past three p. m. 

Four p. m. Battle still raging. Incessant firing both of 
artillery and musketry since the battle commenced. The 
balloon 'Eagle' up during the engagement. Battery halted 
on the way to the front. Troops fast moving forward. 
Quarter past 4 p. m. Battery crossed the Rappahannock 
over a pontoon bridge and passed through the city and 
took a position and commenced shelling the enemy with 
shrapnell with 4 second fuze. The enemy replied to our 
fire with well-directed shots. 

xA.cted as No. 4 and 6 man during the engagement. Bat- 
tery fired about 120 rounds at the enemy and limbered up 
and left the field. Corporal E. M. Platts seriously wounded. 
Lost 5 horses. Halted in the streets of the city, and let the 
horses remain hitched up all night. Posted the guard, first 
half, this night. Weather during the day perfectly delight- 
ful, and the night very mild. One hour's rest tonight. 
Dec. 14th, Sunday. Mild, pleasant morning. Musketry fire 
commenced about 6 o'clock this morning, just outside the 
city, and artillery firing began about half an hour later on 
the left. Corporal Platts died of his wound last night. 
His remains decently interred this morning. Robert Brand 
also wounded yesterday. 

Battery ordered to the front about 9 o'clock this morning. 
Left the street with four guns, and placed them in the same 
position we occupied yesterday. Remained in position all 
day and night. No firing by the Battery this day. Infan- 
try and sharpshooters cracking away all day with irregular 
fire. The enemy plainly visible and their camp fires in full 



498 HISTORY OF THE 

blaze in our front. Guns in position close to the Fred- 
ericksburg Alms House. Provisions, bedding, and other 
pauper fare very acceptable to us, this day and night. Slept 
near our guns and had a good night's rest. No fighting 
today." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Dec. 31, 1862. 
I was in the fight but as I did not go in until about 4 
p. m. on the 13th I did not see the principal part, nor could 
I see the whole of the field. I had a view of the rebel bat- 
teries, and they were kind enough to send quite a number 
of their shells towards the spot where I was, so that I ascer- 
tained their guns to be 12 pdrs. and 3 inch chiefly. I lost 
one man and several horses. We were in position on the 
left of our Right i. e. Franklin on our left. The right of 
the Battery rested on a brick kiln, the left on the Fred- 
ericksburg Poor House. The Telegraph Road and the 
stone wall were 1000 yards in front of us, at the foot of a 
hill, and half way up the hill was the line of rebel batteries, 
earthworks with embrasures for the guns. The rebels fired 
at us, with great perseverance, till dark, and then we re- 
turned to Fredericksburg and bivouacked in somebody's 
empty house. The next day we returned to our former po- 
sition, and remained there all day, but this time the rebels 
didn't shoot at us. We spent the night in the Poor House, 
and the next day, after dark, returned to Fredericksburg, 
where I slept in the library of the Young Men's Christian 
Association. The next morning we re-crossed the river. 
As for the reason why we did not drive the rebels out of 
their works, in my opinion it was simply from a want of 
adaptation of the means to the end. The history of all 
modern wars shows the folly of expecting the best of infan- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 499 

try, unaided, to drive out even poor troops from behind 
breastworks. All such attempts only repeat Bunker 
Hill over again, and when, as in this case, the troops op- 
posed were of equal experience and bravery, the attempt 
becomes more strange. I do not learn that our artillery 
was used to any advantage at Fredericksburg. We had a 
couple of hundred guns mounted on the northern shore, all 
very well for shelling the city and covering the bridges, but 
useless for any other purpose. Some 43^ siege guns under- 
took to throw shell at the enemy, while the fight was going 
on, and killed more of our own men than of the enemy : 
they generally do. The fact is we have no general who has 
shown himself able to handle infantry, artillery, and cavalry 
so as to make them co-operate together-. Malvern Hill is 
the only battle that I have been in where the artillery 
was even decently managed, and there the number of 
pieces was so small that it could not have been mismanaged, 
very well. As usual, however, they had a battery of siege 
guns a mile in the rear, pitching shells round at random, 
killing two men in the battery next to me. And as for 
cavalry, they have not been of the slightest use in a single 
pitched battle : there is not a single cavalry charge recorded 
in the annals of this war. You may say the country is not 
suitable : there could not be a better spot to manoeuvre a bat- 
talion of cavalry than the battlefield of INIalvern Hill, and 
they were just what was wanted at that fight. However, 
I do not want to be blaming Burnside ... if he did make 
a 1)lunder at Fredericksburg it does not begin to compare 
with Gaines Mills. I do not understand why he crossed 
where he did, instead of crossing lower down, and I do not 
understand why he does not cross again." 

Phillips' Diary: "Sunday, Dec. 14, 1862. Buried Platts 
this morning. About 10 a. m. returned to yesterday's po- 
sition. . . . Martin's Battery was placed on our left. No 
shots exchanged. I slept on a sofa in the Poor House." 



500 HISTORY OF THE 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"In Battery between Fredericksburg 
Poor House and a Brick Kiln. 
2>^ p. m. Sunday, Dec. 14, 1862. 

The paper on which this is written (heavy ruled paper 
with a torn edge) came out of an account book from the 
Poor House, and I am sitting in a cushioned chair writing 
this. After marching round for several days we got started 
out of camp yesterday noon for the front. Hazlett and 
Waterman went into position the night of the loth and 
took part in the shelling of the nth. Night before last we 
camped near Falmouth railroad station. About noon we 
started and marched down opposite the lower part of Fred- 
ericksburg. The infantry of the Division crossed over, and 
about 3 o'clock Captain Weed sent for my Battery, Martin's 
remaining on the other side. I crossed and came into bat- 
tery on this ground, my guns pointing over a crest of a hill. 
Our infantry were deployed in front, and the enemy about 
1000 yards in front of us, their infantry at the bottom of a 
hill behind a stone wall, and their batteries on top of the 
hill, 100 ft. higher than we were. As soon as we got in 
position, we opened on them and they on us. We devoted 
our attention to their infantry without minding their bat- 
teries, while their artillery paid close attention to us. They 
made some good shots, the Poor House being riddled 
through. We stayed in position about an hour, and fired 
107 rounds. Corporal Platts, a fine young fellow, was 
killed by a shrapnell shot. Brand, a new recruit, slightly 
bruised and badly frightened by a shell which killed the 
horse he was on and another one. Five horses killed and 
several scratched. Mine was struck in the flank. Lieut. 
Scott struck by a spent shell, but not hurt, &c. &c. At dark 
we withdrew and halted in the streets of Fredericksburg. 
I bivouacked my men in one house, and turned in myself in 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 501 

an upper chamber in another. Scott and I found a good 
bedstead and spread our blankets and went to sleep. The 
slatted bottom, — there being no bed, — felt a good deal like 
a gridiron, but we managed to get along. The ventilation 
was quite good, one shell having gone through the head 
board of the bed, another through the bureau, and half a 
dozen through the walls. Several stairs were knocked out, 
and the house w^as in a general state of dislocation. We 
started a fire in the stove, out of chairs and washstands, and 
after a cup of coffee and a piece of beef steak I turned in and 
slept till morning. This forenoon we came out again to 
this position. We have kept our guns out of sight, and 
have interchanged no shots with the enemy. Martin's 
Battery is on our left. A pretty brisk picket firing is going 
on on our front, but nothing important. The men have 
found some flour in the Poor House and are cooking flap- 
jacks at a great rate. The looting process has brought to 
light a varied assortment of articles : tin ware, plates, cups, 
dishes, clothes &c. 

Monday morning : We remained in battery all day yester- 
day, without firing or being fired at, and last night after a 
supper of beef steak and fried onions, we turned in in the 
Poor House. I lay down on a sofa, Scott and Blake spread 
a feather bed on the floor, and we got along quite comfort- 
ably. This morning I drew my chair up to the table, and 
eat my breakfast in a very civilized manner. We are now, 
8 a. m., waiting for something to turn up. 

Fredericksburg Poor House, Monday noon, Dec. 15, 
1862. For some reason or other our mail has been inter- 
rupted for the last fortnight, and no letters have reached 
us during that time. I have sent on to Washington to have 
it forwarded. The inhabitants of the building stayed in it 
till a shell came through the window, when they left in a 
hurry, except one old darkey, who improvised a bomb proof 
in a corner of the cellar and held on. The keeper of the 



50-2 HISTORY OF THE 

institution was a Mr. Waite who lived here with a large 
family, including Mr. Dana Magee his son-in-law, hailing 
from Connecticut, who appears to have carried on the manu- 
facture of tin ware in an upper chamber. They do not 
appear to have had time to carry off much of their prop- 
erty, and as the house was well up to the front, our men 
had quite a chance to forage. We found five barrels of 
flour, all gone now, and the men have been quite busy mak- 
ing flapjacks and pancakes. Cups, jugs, plates, kettles, and 
all the et cetera of housekeeping, were quite plenty, and 
proved quite useful to a lot of hungry and ingenious men. 
I had some very good soft bread baked, and foraged an old 
fashioned bake kettle, which will work in well in " our 
future campaigns. . . . We had quite a noisy place on Sat- 
urday. ... I had to send two guns to the rear as I had not 
men enough to work them. I want my recruits badly, and 
I have vvritten Lieut. Lull to hurry them up. The city of 
Fredericksburg is pretty well cleaned out. Every house 
that I have seen has from lo to 50 holes through it, and all 
the furniture &c. has been smashed by shells, burned up or 
carried' off. The fences are all gone, and a general state of 
desolation apparent." 

FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

January 5, 1863. 

"One thing I will say, I don't have any skulkers when I 
go into a fight, but every man was at his post when we came 
into battery, and only two men went to the rear without 
orders: one to help Platts off the field: the other, a raw re- 
cruit, was holding two horses by the bridle, when a shell 
took off both animals' heads, and he got knocked down 
somehow. Startled at such an unaccustomed event he fan- 
cied he was wounded, he did get struck on the shoulder by 
the horses or a piece of shell." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 503 

ORDER FROM CAPTAIN PHILLIPS TO SERGT. 

PEACOCK AT THE BATTLE OF 

FREDERICKSBURG. 

Written in Pencil. 

Sergt. Peacock. 

When an empty limber comes back to you, send one of 
the caisson Hmbers to the front, and fill up the empty limber 
from the middle and rear chests. When one of the two 
caissons is empty, have another full one sent up to you. 
Send the empty caisson to the Division Ordnance Train, 
probably across the river near our old camp. It is denoted 
by an American Flag marked ist Division, 5th Army Corps, 
and Capt. Batchelder has charge of it. Put the caisson in 
charge of the most intelligent driver, and tell him to fill it 
up and keep account of the ammunition he gets and return 
without delay. 

Charles A. Phillips, 

Capt. 

Phillips' Diary: "Dec. 15, 1862. Remained all day in 
l)osition. Ai dark marched to Princess Anne street. 
Halted and bivouacked in the building of the Young Men's 
Christian Association." 

NOTES OF LIEUT. H. D. SCOTT. 

" 'Yet we faced the gay battalions 
All undaunted, to the death.' 

About 3 p. m. of the 13th of December, 1862, after the 
Battery had been standing in harness nearly two days, we 
were ordered to cross the river. After crossing the Rap- 
pahannock on a pontoon bridge, at the lower part of the city 
of Fredericksburg, laid near a railroad bridge which had 
been destroyed, we filed into Water street, which runs 
parallel with the river. We halted and stripping for the 
fight, the caissons were parked in the garden of a house 
near. Edwards' [Captain John Edwards, 3d U. S.] Regular 



504 HISTORY OF THE 

Battery with guns stood in the street, having been in posi- 
tion in front of the Heights occupied by the rebels in rear 
of the city, when they had been driven out by the enemy's 
fire in 15 minutes. We thought if that Battery could not 
stay longer, how long would we be likely to stay? But we 
were in for it. Passing up a near by street at right angles 
with the river, we went into position on sloping ground 
where we were covered from the enemy's fire on Marye's 
Heights, the left of the Battery resting close to a two story 
brick building which had been the city's asylum for the poor. 
Our right rested on a bank where the clay had been dug out 
for brick-making, and near the railroad, which passed near, 
curving past our front. The ground was cramped, and the 
guns were in reduced intervals, close to one another. We 
could see the fight going on to our right over the plain, 
where Edwards' Battery had been. The brick house stood 
on the side of the hill, the ground receding rapidly to its 
north front facing the city, thus forming a basement. A 
well not far frorr, the basement, could not be reached, as the 
rebel sharpshooters on the left of the house had it in full 
view. Several dead men lay around it and during daylight 
any one going to the well had a bullet about his ears. While 
going into position we had not been molested. We com- 
menced firing at the rebel batteries with our rifled guns. 
After loading them, we would run them up the slope by 
hand, so the muzzles would clear the bank, take aim and fire, 
the guns running back to be reloaded. The enemy 1000 to 
1200 3'ards away caught on to us, and opened their fire 
which was kept up till darkness closed the scene. For- 
tunately we were well protected, but they did not spare us. 
Most of their shot passed over our heads, into the town 
behind us, and the noise, as the shot raked through the cit)', 
was terrific and very demoralizing. Some of their shots 
striking the higher ground in our front, would ricochet, 
passing clear of our heads, but we worked with a will, men 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 505 

and all. As the ground grew soft we had hard work to 
run the guns up, and at last had to take men from another 
gun to accomplish it. I remember of being so thirsty, that 
cotton wool soaked in water would have been refreshing. 

All this time a disastrous fight was going on, for the 5th 
Corps on our right, the plain being fairly covered wath the 
blue coats which we could see in part. Still we kept up 
our fire. As one of my drivers dismounted to arrange his 
harness, not far from where I was standing, on higher 
ground, a solid shot passed my left elbow, causing it to be 
black and blue, struck the vacant saddle of the driver, and 
passed through two horses, killing them instantly. The 
horses were at once turned into the pit, and 4 horses of the 
team remained. A shot took the head off the Bugler's horse, 
and Corporal Platts was killed by a bullet from an explod- 
ing shell. Two men were slightly wounded, but there was 
no other loss. 

As night shut in we returned to Water street, where we 
liad left the caissons, and occupied a room in the second 
story of a house. We made a fire from such wood or furni- 
ture as we could find, spread our blankets on a slatted bed- 
stead and Phillips and I passed a miserable night, trying to 
adjust ourselves to the ever widening space between the 
slats. 

Sunday, December 14th. 1862, opened clear and quite 
warm. Wt hardly knew what would be our fate this day. 
Everything was as still and solemn as a New England Sab- 
bath. We took the shutters off one of the houses and made 
a box in which the body of Corporal Platts was placed. A 
grave was dug in an adjoining garden, a chaplain of the 
Brigade read the service, and after the body was covered 
a board was placed at its head, giving his name and Battery. 
It was a solemn time as Platts was a great favorite. At 
10 a. m. we were ordered into the position occupied the day 
before, and in this movement we were not molested. Not a 



506 HISTORY OF THE 

gun did we hear during the day. Here the horses stood in 
liarness two days, and the weather was favorable. The 
brick basement of the house on our left was occupied. Find- 
ino- a barrel of flour and a colored slave, who had been 
stowed away, we set him to work making pancakes, and we 
fared high. A feather bed was found which we made up 
n the floor, and that made up for the uncomfortable night 
previous. Mahogany chairs upholstered in haircloth, were 
used by the men to sit upon, among the horses and guns. 

Monday the 15th Dec. 1862, we remained all day in the 
same position. Some picket firing was heard during the 
day, but it quieted down to a gloomy silence. From the 
second story of the brick house spoken of, we could see the 
field covered with the blue coats of the dead which they en- 
closed. The rebels in their fire of the 13th on us had bored 
the brick house through and through. Looking through an 
opening about the size of a peck measure, we could see the 
rebel line of sharpshooters. Holding my head close to one 
of these openings I was a mark for one of them. A bullet 
struck the brick alongside my face. I was more careful 
after that. However we were not molested except by an 
alarm in the night by picket firing near us. We turned 
out in haste but soon quieted down again. 

Monday night, after dark, we were ordered to retire into 
the city with as little noise as possible. Getting the Battery 
together on Water street we moved up the street to near the 
c'^ntre of the city. We halted, and the Battery stood until 
near daylight. The street was full of artillery and soldiers. 
Going into a large building on the street, which had been 
used as a hospital during the day of the battle, we found it 
lighted. Evidently it had been a public library as it was 
surrounded by shelves containing books of all kinds. In 
one corner were the legs and arms of the soldiers that had 
been amputated. Piling books on the floor for a pillow, we 
lay down and tried to sleep, but it was of no use. The sit- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 507 

nation was not pleasant; we did not know but what the 
enemy would be down on us before morning." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. SPEAR. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1862. 
Two weeks ago tomorrow night, we received orders to 
pack up and be ready to move on the following morning. 
At 3 o'clock we were routed up and commenced the striking 
of tents, and at daybreak moved towards Fredericksburg, 
but on account of the rebels in the city, our forces were 
unable to lay a pontoon bridge across the river until Friday 
night, and we remained encamped this side of the river until 
Saturday, when the battle commenced and we were ordered 
across the river to join in the fight. We lost 8 horses and 
had 2 men wounded; one slightly, one dangerously. About 
9 o'clock we received orders to vacate our position in the 
field, and move down into the city, and so down into the 
city we go, and after unhitching the horses and feeding 
them, we all went into a large house, built up fires in the 
fireplaces, and then turned in for sleep. At 3 o'clock the 
next morning we were up again, and all went to work feed- 
ing horses and cooking breakfast. This was Sunday morn- 
ing. At 7 o'clock we were ready for the fight, with the 
exception of one thing. While all were eating breakfast 
one of the Boys came along and told us that Corp'l E. M. 
Platts, who was dangerously wounded the day before, had 
died. So I went to work, got out a fatigue party, had a 
grave dug, and a rough C(3ffin made, and we buried him. 
He was beloved and respected by all, and one that always 
did his duty, both in camp and on the field of action. He 
was called by the company 'Corporal Eddie.' After bury- 
ing Corp'l Platts, we received orders to move up on to the 
field, and occupy the same ground that we did the night 
before. So up we go again in the face and eyes of the 



508 HISTORY OF THE 

enem}^, only 1300 yards from their artillery, and 700 from 
their infantry. 

As there was not much firing that day, except now and 
then a volley of musketry, we of course did not have much 
to do. On the left of where the Battery was stationed wa? 
a large two story house, and we commenced ransacking 1: 
to see what we could find. I was among the first to enter. 
The first thing I came across was a closet full of glass and 
crockery ware, and some of the best that I ever saw, but as 
I had no chance to carry any, I only took a couple of gob- 
lets, and gave them to Captain Phillips. The next things 
found were 8 barrels of flour, any quantity of potatoes, 
onions, &c., and in double quick time the Boys had fires 
built in the stoves and were frying fritters, boiling pota- 
toes, &c. We lived in gay style during Sunday and Mon- 
day, for we remained in this position until Monday night at 
dusk, when we received orders to go to the upper part of 
the city. So we packed up our things and left the field, 
and remained in the city until 4 o'clock Tuesday morning, 
when we received orders to cross the bridge, for our forces 
were evacuating the place. Tuesday night we arrived 
back in the same camp which we left the Thursday before, 
and which camp we now occupy. I brought back from 
across the river about a ^ bbl. of flour, besides potatoes 
&c. So have had good food." 

SPEAR'S NOTES OF JULY 24. 1901. 

"Our position at Fredericksburg, Va. on the right of the 
Poor House, and directly in front of Marye's Heights, was 
occupied by a batterv of regular artillery, but the fire from 
the Confederates being so concentrated, it was obliged to 
retire, and Captain Phillips was ordered by General Weed 
to cross the river with the 5th Battery and endeavor to hold 
the position, which we did, owing in part to the lateness of 
the day. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 509 

During this fight tobacco was selling at ten dollars a 
pound, and the last night of our being in Fredericksburg 
the men of the Battery had broken into a warehouse and 
found all kinds of the weed, and carried back across the 
river enough to sell to the sutler, and the proceeds of the 
sale, one hundred dollars, was the starting of a Company 
Fund. (See p. 865 Peacock.) Of course some, if not 
nearly all, needed a drink, and so hunted for whiskey. One 
crowd with candles was in a drug shop, when the welcome 
cry from upstairs was heard, — 'We have found some,' and 
it started to ascend when the candles were blown out, and a 
terrible rattling noise on the stairs was heard, and all rushed 
to the street more frightened than when in battle. After 
gathering courage we examined the situation, and ascer- 
tained that some grave joker had found a skeleton, and 
thrown same down the stairs." 

LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK.— PLATTS' 
AVENGING SHOT. 

''Camp near Falmouth^ Va. 

Dec. 30, 1862. 

Our Battery was engaged at the Battle of Fredericksburg, 
and a warm time we had of it. We were in close action 
for nearly two hours, and the way shell and balls flew 
around us was a caution. On my Gun two horses were 
killed, but none of my men hurt. The shell that killed the 
horses passed through one of them, striking near me as I 
was getting the time on a patent shell. I had it between my 
knees, when — bim ! something hit me, knocking myself and 
shell over in the mud. Picked myself up, felt of my head, 
found that all right, then my breast and legs, and they were 
whole, but at the moment it seemed as if I could feel some- 
thing eo into me. It proved to be nothing more than stones 



^& &^ 



and mud, which the shell had kicked up when it struck the 
ground. One of our men was killed : Eddie Platts of Bos- 



510 HISTORY OF THE 

ton, a pretty little boy, only i6 years old. He was a great 
pet with the boys, by his being so young, and always having 
such a pleasant smile on his face — even in death. He was 
under me over a year, and a short time ago was promoted 
to Gunner in another Detachment. He had just given the 
order to fire, when a Schrapnel ball passed through his 
body. We carried him to the rear, and he died in about 12 
hours. He was buried in a garden, on one of the principal 
streets of the city, amidst a terrible shelling of the place 
by the Rebels. I think the last gun he fired fully avenged his 
death, as it was a splendid shot amidst the rebel infantry. 
How we escaped with so little loss I am unable to tell, for a 
Regular battery was driven from the same position only a 
short time before we went in, with the captain and twenty 
men killed. Four of our Guns took the same position next 
day, and remained for two days, but did no firing. My 
piece being disabled recrossed the river, and I was put in 
charge of the caissons on a street in the city. I took posses- 
sion of a nice house, all furnished, and took comfort for two 
days. Fresh pork, flour, meal, etc. in abundance. At night 
of the third day, the Guns were ordered to move to another 
part of the city. We halted on a street for a short time, 
when some of the boys discovered a large store filled with 
flour, tobacco, beans, meal, preserves, etc. of all of which 
we got a good supply. I took all my used up horse was able 
to carry, about 25 lbs. After leaving this street we moved 
on to another, and halted in front of a large building, which 
we were ordered to occupy for the night. . . . Since writ- 
ing the previous page a sudden order came for us to hitch 
up immediately. So I threw this letter into my knapsack, 
packed up, and took, as I supposed, farewell of my log 
hous£, but as we were about driving out of park, the order 
was countermanded, so we had to unharness and fix up our 
quarters again. It is generally the time when we consider 
ourselves less liable to move, that these sudden orders come. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 511 

It is reported that our Army expects an attack from the 
Rebels. As I have my house arranged I will proceed from 
where I left ofif: — 

All of the night we were in the city it was still as death, 
yet both sidewalk and street were full of soldiers, most of 
them asleep, under arms, previous to an evacuation in the 
morning. In the building I mentioned was a large room, 
which we were ordered to sleep in, but some of the boys, 
myself among the rest, wished to examine the rest of the 
house, so we started off in the dark in pursuit of plunder. 
Almost the first thing we fell over was a pile of legs, arms, 
feet, etc., that our Doctors had amputated the day before. 
We left that room satisfied, lit a candle, and went into an- 
other room, and there it was filled full of dead men, mostly 
rebels. We had seen enough at 12 o'clock at night in what 
seemed to us a haunted house, so we returned to the room 
assigned to us, turned in and slept sweetly for about four 
hours. 

At daybreak next morning, we all recrossed the river, and 
returned to this camp. So ends our pleasant visit to Fred- 
ericksburg." 



NOTES OF CORP'L W. H. BAXTER. 
Oct. 15, 1900. 

"We were in camp between Acquia Creek and Falmouth, 
about I mile from Stoneman's Switch. Tobacco was 
scarce among the boys, not so much from the scarcity of 
the article at the sutler's as from the scarcity of money to 
buy it with, and it was a most amusing sight to see some 
generous, whole-souled fellow possessed of a piece of the 
weed, sneak from camp to some lonely spot, where he 
could fill up the old dudeen and enjoy a smoke all by his 
lonesome, congratulating himself that no one knew he had 
any. Oak leaves were plentiful, but there was not much 
virtue in them. 



512 HISTORY OF THE 

Orders came to march, which finally ended in the Battle 
of Fredericksburg under Burnside. We were assigned to 
the Centre Grand Division, and directly under command of 
Captain A. P. Martin, who commanded the Brigade Bat- 
teries in this battle. 

We were stationed on a knoll just outside of the city, with 
the Poor House on our left and a Brick Yard on rear right. 
Some of the boys cut quite a figure when arrayed in the 
dresses and bonnets we found in the house. It seems to us 
now that nothing under heaven could keep the mischief-lov- 
ing boys of the old Fifth under control, except a shot in the 
wind. 

After exercising a few hours at the Guns with the John- 
nies for targets, night came on, when we were ordered out 
of the line into the streets of the city, we supposed to pre- 
vent the possibility of being rushed by the Rebs during the 
night. 

The Young Men's Christian Association Rooms were 
allotted to us for a sleeping place. They had been used for 
a hospital during the day and the pile of legs, arms, hands, 
and feet with the shoes on, piled up in one corner, was not 
calculated to give that peace of mind conducive to a healthy 
night's rest. The writer was Corporal of the Guard that 
night, and while walking along the street occupied by the 
Battery heard a commotion at the door of a large store- 
house, and upon arriving there, what a sight for a hungry 
man ! Tobacco scattered all around and every few mo- 
ments would be launched into the street a case of it, which 
opened upon contact, scattering its contents broadcast. 
This avalanche of the precious weed was caused by some of 
our boys on the top floor of the warehouse, rolling the cases 
to the chute, which ran from the rear of the top floor to the 
sidewalk at the front door, which accounted for their quick 
exit from the building after gliding down the chute. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 513 

But, hark! 'Provo, Provo/ echoes on the night air. 
Tramp, tramp, down the street they come! 

Those of us on the outside were not in it, but stood 
around to see the outcome of the connection between the 
boys on the inside and the Trovo' on the outside. 

The 'Provo' did not venture to go up the chute, as they 
were afraid of being swept out of sight by one of the cases 
on its way down, so they sought entrance at the rear door, 
and when they had gained it the fun commenced. The 
sHde down that chute the boys took that night could never 
be forgotten. Some came down on their feet; others in a 
stooping position; others on a board, but one, Billy Lap- 
ham, afterwards killed at Bethesda Church (see p. 858) 
took the slide sitting in the chute with nothing under him 
but one thickness of trousers and 'shoddy' at that. Splin- 
ters and blisters were as thick as feathers. We hustled him 
across the street, and after a time w'e got him picked. 
While the operation was being performed, his remarks were 
varied and to the point, and the writer has always thought 
that they were exceptionally appropriate to the occasion. 

We were happy. Tobacco in plenty. Smoke, smoke, 
smoke, the soldier's solace. 

The next morning at 3.30 we received orders to cross the 
river and move back to our old camp, where we enjoyed 
the results of the raid on the tobacco warehouse for many a 
day." 



Chase's Final Notes on Fredericksburg: ''Dec. 15, 1862. 
Guns still in position. All quiet up to about 12 m., when a 
vigorous artillery and infantry firing commenced on the 
Right front. An occasional Minie ball whizzes over our 
heads from the enemy's sharpshooters. Rations brought 
to us today. Spend my time reading history and Byron's 
poems from the Alms House library. Weather very fine. 
Remained in position until after dark, when we left the field 



514 HISTORY OF THE 

and halted in the main street of the city. Left the place, 
where we first halted, to make room for the infantry, bur 
finally came back to the same place, halted, and occupied the 
building used as a library for the Young Men's Christian 
Association of Fredericksburg. Amputated limbs in the 
library room, and an adjoining room filled with the dead, 
slain in battle. Shovels and picks sent for this evening, 
and we expect to^go behind breastworks in the morning. 
Whiskey served to us this night. Laid down for a short 
rest, and after about an hour's noise and confusion, all was 
still, and 'nature's sweet restorer' came to our relief. Stores 
and dwellings ransacked and robbed during the night by 
the troops. Tobacco very cheap and plenty. The streets 
and houses lined with sleeping and carousing soldiers. 

Dec. 1 6th. Routed out about half past four this morn- 
ing, and at once recrossed the river and after many delays 
reached the ground we left on the 13th instant. The 4tli 
Detachment capsized their caisson into a ravine on the road- 
side, killing three horses, but doing no other damage. The 
6th Detachment broke the pole of their caisson while com- 
ing into park. A heavy rainstorm commenced about six 
o'clock a. m., but the weather cleared up fine about 9 a. m. 
Hitched up, and left for our old camp ground which we 
left on the nth inst., about 9 o'clock. The road very 
muddy. The 3d Detachment broke down their caisson and 
left it on the road, but returned for it with another limber 
p. m. Reached our old camp ground, near Falmouth, Va., 
about 2 p. m. and pitched our tents in the same old spots 
as before. Made comfortable quarters and quietness 
reigned again." 

LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. Dec. 31, 1862. 
... I do not know as I can interest you by any new 
ideas about the late battle, unless I tell you my experience. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 515 

To tell you that it was a wholesale butchery would only be 
to tell you what you already know. The city was shelled 
and millions of property destroyed to keep a few sharp- 
shooters at bay. The city was e\-acuated by the enemy and 
could have been held by our artillery from this side, but to 
take the Heights, in the rear of the city, by storm, was like 
a corps of newsboys armed with Colt's revolvers trying to 
take Gibraltar. But the people wanted something desperate 
done. They could not wait for the slow but sure process of 
sieging. Shovels and picks are played out. Storm them 
out! That's the way! Make a dash! 

Well, they were desperate, they made a dash and what 
followed? A useless waste of blood, and regiments of 
mutilated humanity to attest the folly of such a movement. 

We crossed the river about 4 p. m. Saturday the 13th 
instant. We passed through the city and took position in 
front of the enemy's fortifications. Before w^e had run our 
guns into position the enemy commenced shelling us with 
well directed fire. We commenced firing with our full 
battery but being short handed and the ground soft, we 
could not work six guns, so we blazed away with four. . . . 
We held our position until it was so dark that we could not 
see what to fire at, when the firing slackened on both sides 
and we left the field. We resumed our position again Sun- 
day morning, but for some reason we did not discharge a 
shot all day. On Sunday we found the body of a man 
belonging to the 2d Maine Regt. who was probably killed 
by a shot directed at us the night before. He had been to 
the front and fought, and in his lifeless hand was a 'pass' 
from the surgeon to go to the rear. When almost to the 
rear, and in a place of comparative safety, he was struck 
down. His coat was literally torn from his body and one 
arm nearly severed. Fredericksburg is one vast scene of 
destruction. ... If the papers and 'our specials' tell you 
that the troops are hopeful, cheerful, &c., I will say that 



516 HISTORY OF THE 

these encouraging words do not apply to any troops I have 
seen. They are disheartened, and nothing but the restora- 
tion of our old Corps will relieve that despondency." 

INDEX TO CAMPS. 

On a jfly leaf of the Diary of Corporal Thomas E. Chase 
is the following useful index to camps : — 

"Oct. 2, 1862. In Camp at Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Va. 

Oct. 8th at Rockville, Md. 

Oct. 9th & loth Frederick City, Boonsboro' and Sharpsburg. 

Oct. 2ist Antietam Iron Works. 

Oct. 31st Burkittsville and Petersboro', Md. 

Nov. 1st Berlin, Knoxville. and Harper's Ferry. 

Nov. 2d Snicker's Gap, Va. 

Nov. 7th White Plains. 

Nov. 9th Near Warrenton, Va. 

Nov. 23d Near Falmouth, Va. 

Dec. i6th Near Faimouth, Va. 

Notes of Corporal Jonas Shackley : "The horse of 
James Winters, the Bugler, was killed in one of the streets 
of the city. ... In the march back to camp one of the 
caissons was thrown into a ravine, turning over tzvo or 
three times." 



NOTES OF LIEUT. SCOTT. 

"About daylight the i6th Dec. 1862, we crossed the Rap- 
pahannock on an upper pontoon bridge, following the river 
bank down stream until the road following the bank of a 
ravine led up to the plateau above. The rain had begun to 
pour, and the ground getting soft in passing up the ravine 
one of the caissons slid off the bank to the bottom below, 
but an infantry regiment coming along, by the use of ropes 
it was soon placed upon a firm foundation. One of the 
drivers was quite badly hurt. 

Soon the last of the Army was across, and the enemy 
were on the banks of the river again. Moving back about 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 517 

half a mile from the river, we pitched our tent, and with 
the water running down the hill under us, we found rest for 
the remainder of the night, glad we were so well out of the 
fight. 

While in the fight at Fredericksburg, General Grifiin had 
instructed Captain Phillips to confine the most of his fire to 
the Telegraph Road, coming past the centre of the rebel 
lines, to prevent reinforcements from their flank on their 
Right. The rebel lines were not assailable at any point. 
General Grifiin was pleased with the part the Battery took 
on that day. 

The fight at Fredericksburg was most cruel. Changing 
commanders almost in the face of an enemy will not always 
be successful, and the Army, for the most part, were so 
bound up in McClellan! No time was given the men to 
understand the new Commander. In fact they foretold his 
defeat in advance. Jealousy and politics had taken pos- 
session of the Army of the Potomac." 

Chase's Diary: Dec. 17, 1862. Back from Fredericks- 
burg to the camp near Falmouth, Va. : "Refreshing sleep 
last night. In camp all day. Filled the chests with new 
ammunition. Weather fine but rather cold." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

After one more reference to the last night in Fredericks- 
burg on Princess Anne street, where they "pillowed their 
heads on dictionaries" and tried to sleep, Captain Phillips 
proceeds as follows, in a letter dated Camp near Falmouth, 
Va. Dec. 17th 1862: — 

"Every effort is being made to prepare for another brush, 
and I have reported my Battery ready for service. My car- 
riages and harnesses are pretty well cut up. One saddle 
was knocked all to pieces by a shell, and two horses had 
their heads shot off rather injuring their bridles. After T 
had recrossed the river one caisson tumbled off a bank 10 



518 HISTORY OF THE 

or 15 feet high owing to the road giving way, and killed 
two horses, broke the caisson-stock and smashed things 
generally. The traces were all cut up in clearing the 
horses. How the drivers escaped death is a wonder to me. 
However, our damages are now about all repaired, and I 
am ready to try our luck again on the other side as soon as 
the order is given. Captain Martin says that General 
Wilcox complimented us very highly. We had 5 men who 
have only been with us a week, and they thought they had 
a pretty good breaking in. Fredericksburg is pretty well 
sacked, and the men had a good chance to get the great de- 
sideratum of a soldier, tobacco. From the quantity I have 
seen I should judge that we brought off about a ton of it; 
every man having 15 or 20 pounds. We found 5 barrels 
of flour (see p. 508) in the Poor House, and a barrel 01 
salt, another article that the Rebels are popularly supposed 
not to have. Furniture and dishes ad libitum were brought 
off, and our table is now ornamented with an elegant glass 
sugar bowl and salt cellar, while we all have china cups to 
drink from. We were not in season, however, to make the 
most of our opportunities, and we unfortunately crossed 
into the lower and unfashionable portion of the city, 

Dec. 18. P. S. I enclose a proclamation of Governor 
Letcher which I found kicking around in Fredericksburg. 
Lieut. Blake's brother is among the missing. He was in 
the 1 8th Mass. Regt. and fell in a charge on the Rebel lines. 
The last seen of him he put his hand to his head exclaiming 
T am shot.' " 



Chase's Diary: "Dec. 21, 1862. Promotion of Lieut. 
Phillips as our future Captain received in line this a. m." 

Lieut. Phillips' promotion is dated Oct. 18, 1862. It 
took all that time to get round. 



FIFTH }LASS. B ATT FRY. 51!) 

GENERAL BUTTERFIELD'S FAREWELL ORDER. 

Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, 
D€c. 24, 1862. 

By the orders of the Major Gen'l commanding the Army of the 
Potomac, Maj. General Meade is placed in command of the 5th Army 
Corps. Duty not less than inclination prompts the sincere and heart- 
felt acknowledgment of the devotion to duty, the cheerful obedience to 
orders, and the kindly spirit which has been evinced by the subordinate 
commanders of this Corps during the time it has been under my com- 
mand. 

Words fail to express my proper appreciation of the unparalleled 
bravery and soldierly qualities, exhibited by its officers and members 
during the late battle of Fredericksburg, and the operations connected 
therewith. On duty with and of the Corps since its organization, I may 
be permitted with pride to say that neither remarks from me or the 
gallant record of mv senior and successor, will be necessary to insure 
to him the reception and support due his rank and position. 

(Signed) Daniel Butterfield 
Brig. Gcn'l. 

Dec. 26, 1862, Maj. Gen'l George G. Meade assumed 
command of the 5th Army Corps. 



Chase's Diary: ''Dec. 25th, 1862. On Board Steamer 
'Commonwealth' of the New York and Stonington line one 
year ago tonight en route for Washington, D. C. ! Fin- 
ished our tent and dedicated the fireplace." 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. SPEAR. 

"Friday morning: (Dec. 26, 1862.) Yesterday was 
Christmas, and now one year has passed away since I left 
my native state. What scenes and changes have taken 
place during the past year! but I hope before the end of 
another year comes creeping along that this cursed rebel- 
lion will be at an end, and all persons now engaged in this 
civil war at home with their friends and families. For 
breakfast yesterday had baked beans and soft bread, for 
dinner baked beans and pudding, and for supper boiled 
rice." 



520 HISTORY OF THE 

Chase's Diary: "Dec. 29, 1862. Battery drilled half an 
hour on the manual this morning. The promotion of ist 
Serg't. J. E. Spear to Jr. 2d Lieut, read in line by Serg't. 
Smith, acting Orderly." 

Lieut. Spear's commission is dated Oct. 18, 1862. 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Potomac Creek, 

Dec. 29, 1862.' 

I sent a man to \\^ashington a few days ago after ord- 
nance stores, and this gave us an opportunity to replenish 
our mess stores. We got half a barrel of flour, and calculate 
to have soft bread now right along. Among other things 
which Serg't. Nye brought back from Washington was a 
barrel of brown bread. \Yq took what we wanted and he 
disposed of the rest to the men. By the way they rushed 
for it I thought they appreciated it. We are now in winter 
quarters, i. e. the men are all comfortably disposed of in such 
huts as they can construct. Of course they do not know 
how soon they may have to leave them. I have built unto 
myself a log house 9 ft. by 10, covered over with a tent fly, 
and have a good solid floor, a capital bedstead, a door with 
hinges and a latch, and a fireplace which smokes. This last, 
however, is owing to the fact that it is not quite finished. 
Tomorrow will complete the job. As it is I manage to 
have a great deal of comfort, and think I have rather the 
best quarters in this vicinity. I have not carpeted the floor 
or papered the walls, but probably shall if we remain here 
long enough. It is quite a luxury to have a place where I 
can w^alk round, hang up things, and where the wind does 
not blow. I shall be quite busy for the next 3 weeks with 
Rolls, Quarterly Returns &c. 

Dec. 31, 1862. 

My log house, chimney and all, is finished, at last, and I 
manage to enjoy it very much. Such luxuries as solid 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 521 

walls and floors are only appreciated in camp. As it is, 
when I come in evenings, hang up my cap, put on my sHp- 
pers and sit down in my easy chair in front of a big, blazing 
fire, I am nearly as comfortable as in a parlor at home. I 
only want a few^ books to make the evenings pass quite 
cheerfully. Newspapers are quite a treat, when they come; 
but they are hardly numerous enough to occupy my spare 
time. We thought yesterday that we were going to be 
routed out of all these comforts. About iij^ a. m. Cap- 
tain Waterman, acting Chief of Artillery in Captain Mar- 
tin's absence, came by and said that he had just received a 
note from Division Head Quarters that the Division would 
march at 12. We got all ready for a start, but in half an 
hour Captain Waterman sent over that he had received an 
order to detail Lieut. Hazlett's Battery to accompany the 
Division, so we subsided into our statu quo ante, and went 
on with our dinner. Meanw'hile I believe the Division 
marched off. 

Lieut. Spear's commission has arrived, so that we have 
four in our mess now. A glass sugar bowl (seep. 508) that 
I obtained in Fredericksburg figures conspicuously 'on the 
table, also, two glass sauce dishes. If Burnside intends to 
get t'l Richmond before summer he must be moving soon. 
Last winter the rainy season commenced January loth and 
it did not stop raining till the ist of July. So w'e must 
expect some rain soon. 

In my opinion Fredericksburg could and should be taken 
in a week. We could have routed the Rebels when we were 
over there before, had our artillery been properly handled, 
but w^e cannot do anything until our generals learn to 
use this arm. ... I do not understand what he (Burnside) 
is waiting for. We have men enough, and the rebels must 
be driven out of the works towards Richmond, and the 
sooner we are at it the better. The roads are good, w^eather 



522 HISTORY OF THE 

good, health of the Army good, — in a month all these will 
be bad." 



LETTER OF LIEUT. P. W. BLAKE. 

"Camp near Fredericksburg. 

Jany. i, 1863. 

Our Division went on a reconnoissance day before yester- 
day up the Rappahannock River some 15 miles, as far as 
Burnett's Ford. They crossed the river and took some 
prisoners, and destroyed a bridge, and were ordered back 
by some authority at Washington. 

The Division got back today. We hitched up our Bat- 
tery to go, but the order was countermanded, and only took 
the regular Battery D. U. S, Army. 

We are encamped alongside of the railroad that runs 
from Acquia Creek to Fredericksburg, near Potomac Creek 
that runs across the railroad. You can see by referring to 
the map. I made a dot where we lay at the present time. 
I have dotted, the course we came last summer from Acquia 
Creek to Manassas Junction, the last Bull Run battle, to 
Hall's Hill where we started from last spring. From 
Sharpsburg, Maryland, I have dotted the course we came 
this fall to where we are now. I must close now. I will 
tell you the fighting part when I get home." 



Scott's Notes: "The first of January, 1863, the Battery 
was camped at Stoneman's Switch on the Fredericksburg 
and Acquia Creek Rail Road, where it had been previous 
to the battle of Fredericksburg, as winter quarters. The 
winter was unusually severe, there being no less than 20 
snow storms." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 523 

LETTER OF CAPT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Potomac Creek, 

Jan'y 4, 1863. 

Although newsboys come rather irregularly, and the 
Post Office Department does not take great pains to for- 
ward papers regularly, still we manage to get an occasional 
'N. Y. Herald' or 'Philadelphia Inquirer' or 'National Re- 
publican,' while the 'Boston Journals' sent from home all 
arrive, though sometimes sadly behind the times. The 
high price of paper and consequent rise in the 'dailies' does 
not affect us out here where the standard price of a N. Y. 
paper has always been 10 cents with an occasional rise to 15. 

My log house is better built than the average; the logs 
being fitted snugly together so as to dispense with mud as 
much as possible. The dimensions of the edifice are 9 ft. 
by 10. It is six feet high at the eaves so that I can stand 
up anywhere, a great comfort, I assure you. The gable 
ends are built up with logs, and the roof is composed of a 
tent fly which admits the light. In one end of my room is 
my fireplace, quite capacious and comfortable if not elegant, 
two bricks and two stones form the andirons. From the 
fireplace rises a chimney of stone and mud, which answers 
all the objects of a chimney, and draws beautifully. Oppo- 
site the fireplace is the door, a good, substantial door of pine 
boards, with a latch and 'fixins.' The apartment is floored 
with boards which were once parts of packing boxes to 
convey Ordnance Stores to the Battery. On the left hand 
as you enter is my bedstead built up substantially of frag- 
ments of hard-bread boxes, where I stretch my weary limbs 
on a mattress stuffed with husks. I have also a feather 
pillow, trophy from Fredericksburg, which adds materially 
to my comfort. This side of the room is wainscoted with 
pieces of hard-bread boxes, which keep me from contact 
with the pitch pine logs, and give an elegant appearance. 



524 HISTORY OF THE 

The remainder of the room is 'papered' with empty grain 
bags which look more cheerful than bare logs. On the side 
opposite to my bed, in the corner next the door is my wash- 
stand holding my wash bowl, soap, and all the luxuries oi 
the toilet. Pendant over this is my looking-glass. ... In 
the middle of this side is my writing desk, an elegant struc- 
ture of planed boards. In the corner by the fireplace is my 
wood box filled with wood. My trunk stands between my 
desk and washstand. Sabre, haversack, canteen, field 
glass, overcoat, caps &c. hanging round the walls complete 
the picture, which in my eyes is a very comfortable one. In 
the course of my travels I have not seen any more comfort- 
able quarters. I have an easy chair, and in the evenings I 
can draw it up to the fire, and put my feet, not on the man- 
tel-piece, for there isn't any, but over the fireplace, in the 
most civilized way imaginable. My quarters have excited 
the admiration of all my visitors, and on the whole I con- 
sider myself a lucky man. I have a fire-shovel, from Fred- 
ericksburg, and only need a pair of tongs to make the sei 
complete. Then we are living like princes. We have a 
Dutch oven and plenty of flour and have fresh bread and 
cakes every day; roast beef or beef steak for dinner regu- 
larly, pickles, apple sauce, for side dishes, and regular pota- 
toes and onions. Some officers of the 33d were over here 
yesterday, and were quite taken down by the style in which 
we did things. 

The fact is, a man has to have experience to know how to 
live in the army, and we do not calculate to live on hard tack 
and salt junk as long as we have any money. Artillery 
officers have an advantage over infantry officers in the fact 
that we can carry round about as large a mess kit as we 
choose, and however large a stock of eatables we have on 
hand, we can get it along on the march. 

January 5th. All quiet on the Rappahannock! I am 
afraid this phrase will become as stereotyped as the similar 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 525 

one in regard to the Potomac, and that Burnside, if not 
careful, will become as sluggish as his predecessor. Now 
is the time for Burnside. If he remains still, Lee's army 
will be off to reinforce the Western Rebels, while we shall 
be held at bay by empty entrenchments and visionary hosts. 
If Burnside strikes now, we shall attack the foe at every 
point, and he cannot hold them all. If our generals expect 
to do anything, why don't they give our artillery a chance 
to operate, and not send infantry to dive into ditches, or run 
their heads against a stone wall ? . . . I have made an addi- 
tion to my articles of comfort and luxury, in the shape of a 
boot-jack. After mature deliberation I came to the con- 
clusion that I needed a boot-jack out here, as much as I did 
at home. I cannot pull my boots off a bit easier than I 
could two years ago, so why should not I have a boot-jack? 
The argument seemed to me perfectly logical and the conse- 
quence thereof was a boot-jack as aforesaid. 

The Army is getting quite discontented on the subject of 
pay. We have not been paid since the ist of July. The 
recruits who come out start with a couple of hundred of 
dollars in their pockets and do not care much about pay for 
some time; consequently they are not very popular with the 
Army and the '200 dollar men' stand a chance to do the 
hardest work. They are very apt to be detailed on fatigue 
parties &c. 

There is a great rush for furloughs just now. All 
our generals are gone off, and a colonel commands the Di- 
vision. (Col. Barnes of the i8th Mass.) I expect soon to 
hear of colonels commanding army corps in the great 
scarcity of brig, generals. It seems as if Congress had 
made enough to furnish at least one to a Division. . . 
One of my new men that Lull sent out, after a short career, 
tumbled off his horse and laid himself up for a couple of 
months, and in consequence of such accidents as these, my 
numbers just about hold their own. . . ." 



526 HISTORY OF THE 

Chase's Diary: "J^ri'y 7, 1863. Posted the guard last 
night and today, ist half. Morning drill as usual. 
Hitched up and drilled by sections p. m. A good, lively 
drill. Weather very fine, but rather cold p. m. Counter- 
sign 'Buffalo.' " (See p. 797.) 

Diary of Private John E. Dyer: "Thursday, Jan'y 8, 
1863. 'Boots and saddles' sounded at 9 a. m. Hitched up 
and marched about i]^ miles towards Falmouth, to be re- 
viewed by Generals Burnside, Hooker, and staffs. Arrived 
back at camp about 3 o'clock p. m. Captain Phillips acting 
commander of Division Artillery today, vice Martin absent. 
Saw two ladies at the Review." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 
Jan'y 9, 1863. 

I am glad the ist of January is past and freedom an es- 
tablished fact at last, and I think we can now see the begin- 
ning of the end. Everything, in my mind, points to the 
exhaustion of the South and in the tone of their papers and 
speeches and above all in Jeff Davis's proclamation, I can 
see indications which show that they are conscious of their 
inability to carry on the struggle, when the issue is once 
fairly made between freedom and slavery, 

I have read Butler's farewell address, and like it much. 
Like all his other actions it is characteristic of the man. J 
think that however much fault we may find with the small 
details of his conduct, there is no man who has stamped his 
mark and his own characteristics so strongly on the present 
age as Benj. F. Butler; no man who has done so much to 
bend public opinion, or has seen more clearly the proper 
issue of this struggle. 

We had a Review yesterday ... in all say 15,000 men. 
About half an hour before we started Captain Waterman 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 527 

sent over that he was too sick to go out, and as Captain 
Martin was off on a furlough, I would have to act as Chief 
of Artillery. Now I am able and willing to handle my own 
battery, but I did not relish the idea of having the care of 
four batteries stuck on my shoulders. (Martin's, Water- 
man's, Phillips', Hazlett's.) However I made the best of 
it and started the batteries out. Arrived on the ground we 
formed on the designated ground, and waited. Pretty soon 
things looked as if the show was about to commence. So I 
stationed myself in front of my battalion and prepared to 
roar myself hoarse. Inflating my lungs to their full ca- 
pacity I bellowed forth : — 'Attench ho-o-o-o-o-n' — short 
stop to rest and pufif up. — 'Draw — Sabre!' — another inter- 
val, during which General Burnside with lOO officers more 
or less after him, rode down to the right of the line: then 
after due preparation, — 'Present — Sabre !' and the four bat- 
teries presented sabre. 

General Burnside then rode down our front, and, as he 
passed, bowed, and appeared to recognize me in my new 
dignity. When he had reached the left flank, more puffing 
up preparatory to, — 'Carry — Sabre!' Then we waited 
while he reviewed the infantry, when they broke into col- 
umn and passed in review, we following the whole Corps. 
The passing in review was well executed, not a single halt 
being made. This through with, we all went home as fast 
as we could, cold and hungry, to pitch into a late dinner. 

So ended my first public appearance as 'Chief of Artil- 
lery.' . . , 

As far as practical efficiency in action is concerned the 
5th Battery is equal to any in the Division, and my men will 
stand to their work in as hot a fire as anybody. There are 
some indications of an advance before long. The sooner 
we move the better. 

Jan'y nth. I don't want you to think I did anything 
remarkable at Fredericksburg. I put my guns just where 



528 HISTORY OF THE 

I was ordered to put them, and kept them there till I was 
ordered to leave, blazing away at the enemy meanwhile, and 
I suppose anybody else would have done the same thing. 
Still as praise of me benefits the Battery I am willing to take 
it all, though whatever is due, is due to the men of the 
Battery. I will not deny that the fire was rather hot, and 
that we replied quite energetically and accurately, but this 
was owing to the coolness with which the men stood to the 
guns, and the sergeants aimed the pieces, and to no particu- 
lar merit of mine. However, as everywhere else, the men 
do all the work, the commander gets all the praise. 

My new officer Spear is quite an acquisition, just what 
I expected of him, well fitted for the post. He is a very 
smart fellow, and has a wonderful capacity of adapting him- 
self to his position. When he was a corporal he was that 
and no more, promoted Orderly Sergeant he became at once 
an Orderly all over. As soon as he received his commis- 
sion he slid at once out of the enlisted men, and became an 
officer as gracefully as if he had been an officer all his life. 
. . . Deaths and discharges have cleared off nearly all the 
old non-commissioned officers, and most of the sergeants 
and corporals now are of my appointing and I think I may 
say are good ones. After the battle of Fredericksburg I 
issued a new batch of warrants in which I took occasion to 
reward some who had done well there." 

Non-commissioned officers are sergeants, of various 
grades, and corporals. They are appointed by authorities 
lower than the President. Commissions are issued by the 
President. The papers issued to non-commissioned officers 
are called warrants. 

Chase's Diary: '']^ny 12, 1863. Lieut. Scott left camp 
for home on furlough. Jan'y 13th. Posted the guard last 
night, and today — last half, — Countersign 'Rhode Island.' " 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 529 

BATTERY HEAD QUARTERS. 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Jairy 14th, 1863. 

I envy Mr. Bouncer in A^erdant Green,' who, in his regu- 
lar letters to 'the jMum,' used to insert a couple of pages 
from the Oxford Guide Book. I do not know whether 
such a practice would be universally agreeable, but I can, if 
desired, send home a weekly sheet of Artillery Tactics. 

At 6 a. m. or thereabouts, — Scott's watch and mine arc 
the only ones in camp, and we are not exact in our calls,— - 
reveille sounds. I wake up and find the air chilly : I roll 
over. In a few minutes enter Henry with an armful of 
kindling wood, who forthwith proceeds to make a fire. I 
watch the process with interest. The fire started, exit 
Henry with my boots. An interval of time elapses, at the 
end of which Henry again makes his appearance on the 
scene with my boots all blacked, fills up my washbowl, puts 
more wood on the fire and disappears. I meditate, I look 
at my watch, I conclude to get up. Since we have got 
civilized habitations, we have adopted the civilized habit of 
lying abed, and we breakfast at 8. 

By the time my toilet is completed, there comes a knock 
at the door. — 

'Captain, breakfast ready.' 

'All right,' I reply, and grab my stool and travel to the 
next tent, where I find the table set with all the luxuries of 
the season : hot bread, cakes or toast, cold ham, or cold roast 
beef, apple sauce, and coffee, — no milk. So, we sit down 
and 'pitch in,' which expression aptly describes the process 
of eating in camp. After breakfast. I return home, where 1 
find my bed made up, floor swept, furniture dusted &c. So 
I take my seat at my desk and prepare for business. Some 
days I have numerous callers. Serg't Nye with some 



530 HISTORY OF THE 

requisitions to be signed, or the Orderly to ask some ques- 
tions about the morning report book (see p. 445) whether 
this order is to be read at roll call, or only copied into the 
order book &c. Then come some men after a 'pass' to see 
a brother, cousin etc. in the 33d Regiment. All these ap- 
plications disposed of I take up any standing business. 
Then perhaps I write a letter, stopping every few minutes 
to sign a requisition, answer a question, or give a 'pass.' 
Serg't. Nye, may be, comes in with a big bundle of papers, 
and wants me to look over a Quarterly Return. So the 
forenoon wears on. At 10 Drill Call sounds, and the De- 
tachments fall in for a drill on the piece, and for half an 
hour the park resounds with, — 'Detachments Left,' 'Detach- 
ment Posts,' 'Load by Detail — Two,' &c. 'By Hand to the 
Front,' 'Prepare to Dismount the Piece,' 'Change Posts, 
'Fire,' 'Load,' etc. etc. This is superintended by the Chiefs 
of Sections. At 1 1 Hay Call sounds, when we have any 
hay. At 12 Dinner Call. 

We dine at one, at which time John, — black individual, — 
knocks on the door and announces: 'Dinner ready.' For 
dinner we have roast beef, potatoes, onions, apple sauce &c. 

At 2 o'clock the Buglers sound 'Boots and Saddles,' and 
the Battery is hitched up for Battery or Section Drill. If 
the former, I go out and manoeuvre round a couple of hours. 
At 4 we return just in time for 'Water Call.' At 4>4 'Feed 
Call'; at 5 the 'Assembly' for 'Roll Call'; 5M Guard Mount- 
ing, after 'Guard Mounting,' supper; after supper, the Of- 
ficer of the Day hands in his report ; list of the sick, list of 
delinquents with their offenses, and a statement of any re- 
markable occurrences during the day. 

I return home and send for the Corporal of the Guard. 
He presents himself. 

'Corporal, arrest these men, and bring them up here!' — 
giving him a list of the delinquents. Then I put on my 
magisterial frown and await the culprits. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 531 

'Smith reported absent at reveille; any excuse?' 

'No, sir, only I didn't wake up.' 

'That's no excuse; Fatigue duty for 24 hours.' 

'Brown, you are reported for running your horses going 
to water.' No excuse. 'Corporal, put him on a caisson 
for three hours!' 

'Jones, you are reported for disrespectful behavior tJ 
your Sergeant.' Long, and not very logical defence by 
Jones, who is adjudged guilty. 'Corporal, give him two 
hours on the spare wheel !' 

After finishing this not very agreeable business, perhaps 
T stroll into Blake's tent and chat awhile or play a game of 
euchre. 

By seven o'clock the mail arrives, and we all adjourn tr> 
read our letters if we have any; 9 o'clock generally sees us 
in bed. 

So pass the days, one after the other. A good supply 
of books would render it a not very disagreeable kind of 
life, but these things cannot be. We could not carry the 
books if we had them. I do not go visiting much and do 
not have a great many friends in the Division. I have quite 
a lot of speaking acquaintances, but I stay at home mostly." 



Chase's Diary: "Jan'y 15, 1863. Ambulance removing 
the sick today. 

Dyer's Notes: "Friday, Jan'y 16, 1863. Predictions of 
leaving here soon. Commenced packing up p. m. All 
sorts of rumors afloat." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Jan'y 16, 1863. 

'All quiet on the Rappahannock' gives place to 'Advance 
of the Army of the Potomac' We have rec'd orders to be 
ready to march at an early hour tomorrow morning. The 



532 HISTORY OF THE 

order to march has not come yet but will probably be along 
tonight. ... Of course I am sorry to leave my comfortable 
quarters, in fact after a long halt it is always unpleasant to 
take the first start, but 24 hours marching cures that. As a 
remarkable fact, too, my health is always a little better, if 
possible, on the march. I doubt very much whether we shall 
have another fight at Fredericksburg. The rebels never 
wait for a second assault on an 'objective point,' but always 
retire to a second line of defence, and the energy all bottled 
up for a fierce attack is wasted on empty fortifications. 
Well, we shall see what we shall see." 

EXTRA INDUCEMENTS OF THE ARTILLERY 

SERVICE. 

January 17th: "I dislike the habit of ofiicers running to 
Washington, and do not want to get into it myself. \Y\\y 
is it, I wonder, that so few men of wealth and education, 
when going to war, select the artillery in preference to other 
arms of the service. . . . Out of my class only one besides 
myself has entered this arm — Lieut. Hayden in the 2d L"^. S. 
Artillery. An artillery commission certainly offers higher 
inducements than an infantry one : the duties are pleasanter, 
the pay higher, the position more independent, and higher 
esteemed in the Army. Why, I am as independent as a 
Brigade commander, while a captain of infantry has no 
moment he can call his own. While the hours for infantry 
drill are established by orders from Division Hd. Qrs., ar- 
tillery drills when it chooses. I govern my camp as I please, 
and am supreme in my authority over the men. 

Artillery is superior for the display of intellectual abili- 
ties, though a military life kills off everything of the sort. 
Artillery, too, gives a better opportunity for distinguishing 
one's self; a captain of a battery being as likely to be men- 
tioned as a colonel of a regiment. Sections, too, are often 
detached, and, when joined with infantrv. the infantry offi- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 533 

cer in command of the whole rarely attempts to interfere 
with the Lieut, of Artillery in the manajs^ement of his arm. 
Then as far as material comforts are concerned, artillery 
officers can live in the field about as comfortably as gen- 
erals. A late order establishing the field allowance of tents, 
allowed to each line officer of infantry one shelter tent, to 
each full battery of artillery three ivall tents. That is to 
say, I am allowed one wall tent, which is all that is allowed 
to a Brig. Gen'l, while a captain of infantry has to content 
himself w^ith a shelter tent, ground dimensions 6 ft. by 3, 
height 3 ft. At this very time, wdiile we are living in very 
good style, many an infantry officer has to content himself 
with his salt junk. If an officers' mess in an infantry com- 
pany manage to get along a kettle, a coffee pot, a frying pan, 
and a few cups and plates, they df well, while we carry all 
the pots and kettles we choose. And vet, \\\\h all these 
extra inducements the commissions in artillery are not so 
eagerly sought after as one would imagine." The same 
date : " 'There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.' 
Last night instead of an order to march at 5, came an order 
to be ready to march at i p. m. tomorrow." 

Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, Jan'y 18, 1863. Drill in the 
morning and a hitched up drill p. m. Jan'y 19. On guard 
tonight." 

Phillips' Letter Jan'y T8th: "The Army seems to have 
some difficulty in making the movement now contemplated, 
whatever it is. W^e were to be ready to march at one o'clock 
today, but at midnight last night came an order suspending 
the former order for 24 hours. Congress has authorized 
100,000,000 legal tender notes to pay off the Army, and I 
hope to see the Paymaster round here soon. There has 
been, undoubtedly, a great deal of suffering on account of 
the long delay. In military affairs there is the same neces- 
sity for speedy action. I am sanguine, if our generals will 
work together, but if any man with two stars on his 



534 HISTORY OF THE 

shoulder is to be allowed to imperil the cause of the country 
from personal feeling and jealousy, then we might as well 
back out." 

BURNSIDE'S FLANKING MOVEMENT CALLED 
"BURNSIDE'S MUD MARCH." 

HIS ADDRESS TO THE ARMY. 

Head Quarters, 
Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Jan'y 20, 1S63. 
General Orders 
No. 7. 

The Commanding General announces to the Army of the Potomac 
that they are about to meet the enemy once more. 

The late brilliant actions in North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkan- 
sas have divided and weakened the enemy on the Rappahannock, and 
the auspicious moment seems to have arrived to strike a great and 
mortal blow to the Rebellion, and to gain that decisive victory which is 
due to the country. 

Let the gallant soldiers of so many brilliant battle fields accomplish 
this achievement, and a fame the most glorious awaits them. 

The Commanding General calls for the firm and united action of 
officers and men, and, under the providence of God, the Army of the 
Potomac will have taken the great step towards restoring peace to the 
country and the Government to its rightful authority. 
By command of 

Major General Burnside. 

Lewis Richmond 
Ass't. Adj. General. 

Chase's Diary: "J^^^'y 20th, 1863. Cloudy morning with 
a cold snowy air. The agreeable intelligence announced to 
us in line, that we are again to meet the enemy. Packed up. 
Struck tents and hitched up about 11 a. m. and left our 
park about 12 m. Head of column halted about 150 yards 
from camp and remained until about 3 p. m., when we 
marched about two miles — towards Fredericksburg — and 
went into park for the night, on the side of a hill, about 
4 p. m. Some of the men pitched tents, and others laid on 
the ground under the tarpaulins. Commenced raining 



FIFTH }L4SS. BATTERY 535 

about 6 p. m. and rained all night, with but a few minutes 
cessation. My tent blew down about half past ii p. ni. 
Abandoned the ruins of my tent and spent the remainder of 
the night by a bivouac fire. A long night ! Thoroughly 
drenched with rain. A crowd of drowned out, forlorn, cold 
and shivering unfortunates hovered around the fire trying 
to keep alive the vital spark and dispel our miseries by 
cracking jokes. One by one the men gathered round as they 
were drowned out by the 'rising waters.' No water call 
or roll call tonight. 

Jan'y 21st. The storm unabated. Reveille and roll call 
as usual. 'Boots and saddles' sounded immediately after 
roll call. Packed up our wet tents and blankets and hitched 
uj). Doubled up the teams, and with the help of the infan- 
try succeeded in getting the pieces and caissons into the 
road. The ground soft, and it was almost impossible to 
move the pieces, caissons &c. Started on our march alx)ut 
8 a. m. and marched alx)ut a mile and halted for today and 
night. Left one horse, and two others dropped dead in the 
harness. A very soft and disagreeable march. Obliged to 
double up the teams many times today. Reached our camp 
ground about i o'clock p. m. Pitched our tents in a piece 
of woods. Plenty of good water near by. Made coffee, 
and spread our wet blankets for a bed on the water soaked 
ground; built huge fires and made ourselves comparatively 
comfortable. Battery wagon drawn into park by eighteen 
horses. The wheels sink about a foot in the mud, and men 
to their ankles. Very rainv all day. Tattoo and roll call 
about half past 4 p. m. Tan'y 22d. Very rainy all last 
night. Alorning cloudy, with some rain. Tolerably good 
night's rest last night, but the ground felt quite cold through 
five blankets. Slept with Daniel Shackley. Reveille at the 
usual hour this morning. Whiskey issued to us this morn- 
ing. We remained in camp all day. ]\Iade several im- 
provements in our quarters today and kept quite comforta- 



536 HISTORY OF THE 

ble although the weather continued cloudy with considerable 
rain all day." 

Dyer's Notes: "J^^^'y 20, 1863. . . . My tent blew down 
three times during the night. Weather very cold. Jan'y 
2 1 St. . . . Ground soft and awful wheeling ... sat down 
to a scanty supper and went on guard. Rained hard all 
night. Jan'y 22. . . . Whiskey issued out this morning. 
Large ration. Remained here all day. Whiskey again at 
night. Rain at intervals all day. Our mail and one day's 
rations came up today." 

Notes of Corporal Jonas Shackley : "Late on the 20th 
January, 1863, we got out of camp, but could only make 
about two miles, and turning into a field spread our tents 
and tarpaulins for shelter. Rain soon began to pour and in 
a short time the ground was flooded and our blankets be- 
came saturated. We rolled our blankets and used them for 
seats and waited for the morning. Morning came, and the 
Battery attempted to march, but the roads were so horrible 
that after struggling all day we had made only about two 
miles. Went into camp by the edge of a forest, and having 
plenty of fuel made ourselves quite comfortable. 

Remaining in this place until the roads had been repaired 
we doubled our teams, and taking half our carriages at each 
trip returned again to our old camp at Stoneman's Switch, 
arriving there on the 24tli." 

FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Written in the camp where they waited for the roads to 
be repaired. 

"Camp in an Oak Wood, 

Thursday Evening, 
Jan'y 22, 1863. 

On Tuesday we marched, i. e. at i p. m. we started, got a 
couple of hundred yards and halted till three. Then we 
slowly proceeded, and just before dark camped in a field 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 537 

close by the spot where we were reviewed a short time ago. 
Hazlett and Waterman had been detached to join with the 
Reserve Artihery in covering the crossing of the troops at 
Hooker's Crossing. Where that is I do not know. During 
the course of the night it commenced to rain and blow. . . . 

The next morning we started, the rain still continuing. 
Our caissons got stuck at the first start and continued to 
stick very frequently. About i p. m. after marching perhaps 
3 miles, we went into camp, i. e. the head of the column 
did, the rear being still behind. I sent back horses and the 
missing carriages commenced to appear: some with lo, 
some with 12, and some with 18 horses on. Finally, they 
all got in, and we made ourselves comfortable. The mud 
is abf3ut the same quality as we used to have on the Penin- 
sula, but I found my horses not so good. Four gave out on 
the road, and were abandoned dead and dying. . . . Friday 
morning, no move yet.'' 

Phillips' Diary: "Thursday, Jan'y 22d, 1863. . . . The 
Army evidently in statu quo, in the mud. 23d. . . . The 
Army has commenced to move back to camp corduroying 
as it goes." 

From another letter of Captain Phillips, written where 
they camped in the "piece of woods." 

"Camp in an Oak Wood, 
Thursday Evening, Jan'y 22, 1863. 

. . . Our camp is pitched in a grove of oak trees, and in 
pleasant weather might be quite romantic, but the rain 
which has continued so far deprives the scenery of its poet- 
ical aspect. The tents of the men of all shapes, sizes and 
colors, are scattered through the woods, each one with a 
blazing fire in front of it. The woods are already cleared 
out somewhat and it is lucky for us that firewood is so near. 
A spring not 50 yards off furnishes an abundant supply of 
very good— chocolate colored— water. Our floor is rather 
muddv, but with an abundant supply of blankets we sleep 



538 HISTORY OF THE 

very comfortably. I am afraid that this unlucky rain storm 
will endanger, if it does not entirely prevent, this move- 
ment. Only 5 or 6 miles from camp, we are almost entirely 
cut off from our supplies. The roads are impassable for 
wagons, and as my rations were out tonight, I had some 
more sent up on horseback. Our wagons have not started, 
but the Vandals have invaded our old camping ground. 
The tents of the men are inhabited by a numerous popula- 
tion of sick, stragglers, etc. The new tenants of my old 
house have burnt up my wainscoting and bedstead, the door 
and floor will go next. 

Our present locality as near as I can guess is a short 
distance above Falmouth, near Richard's Ford. I am sit- 
ting on the ground writing this by the light of a candle 
elevated on a tin pail. A large fire blazes in front of our 
tent which makes it quite comfortable. The men are sing- 
ing and talking and enjoying themselves." 

Dyer's Notes: "Friday, Jan'y 23d, 1863. A good night's 
rest. Morning damp and cloudy. Our mail came today; 
also rations : — beef, pork, potatoes, onions, bread, coffee, 
whiskey &c. The sun came out about 11 a. m. P. m. very 
fine. Artillery and teams moving back to their old camps. 
Sent men back to our camp to rout out the infantry from 
our quarters." 

Diary of Corporal Chase: "Jan'y 24th, 1863. Reveille 
at half past 3 this morning. Struck our tents and packed 
up for a march back to our old camp. The elements have 
prevailed. An advance is impossible and retreat nearly so. 
Burnside chooses the latter and the troops are moving back 
as fast as possible. Doubled up the teams and started 
for our old camp — with the caissons only — at daylight. 
Reached our old camp about 11 a. m. and the drivers after 
feeding their horses returned for the guns with doubled 
teams. Not much trouble in reaching camp although the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 539 

road was in a very bad state. Guns reached camp about 
half past 3 p. m. 

The infantry who occupied our quarters in our absence 
showed their evil propensities by demolishing chimne\s and 
burning our boards, poles, crutches, and other valuable 
property. My tent was an exception to the fearful destruc- 
tion : found chimney 'riz' 15 inches. It now 'draws' won- 
derfully ! Pitched my tent in the old stockade, and in one 
hour have good quarters. Weather fine." 

Dyer's Notes, Jan'y 24th, have the remark about the 
camp that "although very wet it was very acceptable." 

Phillips' Diary: "Saturday, Jan'y 24th. Started back at 
daylight with the caissons and forge, 10 horses on the 
former and 12 on the latter. Arrived in camp. Sent back 
for the pieces and Battery wagon. Found my house in 
pretty good condition." 

Dyer's Notes: ''Sunday, Jan'y 25th, 1863. No coffee for 
breakfast. A trifling mistake. Nobody to blame. 'All in 
the three years.' Plenty of boiled rice and molasses for 
supper. Weather warm and pleasant." 

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS BACK IN HIS LOG HOUSE. 

MAKES OBSERVATIONS ON THE PAST 

WEEK'S MANOEUVRES. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Jan'y 25, 1863. 

I am back in my log house again, after four days' wan- 
dering in the mud. This rain storm has been very unfor- 
tunate, and has completely discomfited the Army of the 
Potomac. On Friday as soon as I learnt definitely that we 
should return, I sent back a sergeant and squad of men to 
clear out the stragglers and interlopers with whom our huts 
were sure to be filled, and to clean up and make ready. 

When I arrived I found things in pretty good order. 
The inhabitants of my house, whoever they were, had liurnt 



540 HISTORY OF THE 

up all my furniture, but thanks to their selfishness and re- 
gard to their own comfort, had left the floor and door, 
which was all I cared for. The bedstead has been again 
erected, and the other furniture will soon be put in, with 
suitable alterations suggested by experience. 

MORE ABOUT THE 20th. CAMP ON THE HILL. 

Hazlett and Waterman left camp before the Division and 
took position on the bank of the river. The weather was 
cold and lowering, but it looked more like snow than rain. 
We pitched our tent and Blake, with commendable fore- 
thought ditched it round about. Captain Martin, who was 
by our fire, laughed at him, and asked him if he thought 
it was going to rain. Shortly after we got to bed it com- 
menced to rain and blow. Fortunately our tent was tight 
and our pins held, so we slept through it comfortably. 
Captain Martin and his officers were not so lucky. Some 
time in the night the wind got under their tent and over it 
went leaving them outdoors! Immediately arose a great 
outcry for the Corporal of the Guard, and the tent was 
finally re-pitched, not without the wetting of sundry blan- 
kets etc. The next morning we started, the rain still falling. 
The first step recalled to mind the old marches of the Penin- 
sula campaign . . . but the weather was colder. We 
marched all that forenoon in the same way that I used to 
write about last spring. About noon we went into camp, 
having marched perhaps two miles. I selected a spot right 
in the edge of some oak woods. I found the p-round where 
I put my carriages rather soft, and Captain Martin sug- 
p-ested the next day that I had better put up a flag to show 
where my caissons stood! 

Otherwise, it was an excellent camping ground. The 
tents were pitched in the woods, sheltered from the wind. 
Plenty of firewood was growing all around us, and the fires 
were soon blazing merrily." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 541 

In addition to what he had already written about sending 
back men on horseback after rations and forage, he says : — 
"By this means I not only supplied myself, but was able on 
Friday to feed Captain Waterman's horses, he being short 
of grain. 

We remained in the woods Wednesday afternoon, Thurs- 
day and Friday, sleeping and eating in great comfort. The 
weather was lowering all the time, the rain drizzling down 
at intervals. However, we kept a big fire going all the time 
in front of our tent, which generally smoked us out of it, 
and got along first rate. 

Thursday appeared to be spent in deliberation, and in 
bringing up supplies on horseback. By this time, of course, 
the rebels were aware of our movements and success was 
almost impossible. We could not move forward. I sup- 
pose it was as muddy on the south side of the river as on 
the north, and the enemy, probably inferring the reverse, 
hung up a board on the bank opposite the intended crossing, 
having inscribed thereon 'General Burnside Stuck in the 
Mud.' At least so goes the story. On Friday the retro- 
grade movement commenced. By daybreak the road was 
lined with infantry corduroying mud holes, and soon after 
the artillery began to file by: guns and caissons w'ith any 
number of horses and without much regard to order. At 
daylight Saturday morning. Captain Martin and I started 
back." 

HE REVIEWS THE FREDERICKSBURG CAM- 
PAIGN. 

"Second repulse from Fredericksburg by the mud. We 
were absent from camp four days. Don't blame the gen- 
erals for the rain storm. . . . The utmost stretch of gener- 
alship is to place a regiment behind a battery from a tradi- 
tional idea that artillery needs an infantry support. Just 



542 HISTORY OF THE 

look at Fredericksburg. We had 300 or 400 pieces of light 
artillery at our disposal. The enemy in our front were 
strongly intrenched. The natural course would be to get 
up artillery and knock down the intrenchments before com- 
mencing the assault. 

Instead of this, the infantry were set full tilt at a stone 
wall and did not get over it, as of course they could not. 
After the failure of the attack a few batteries were put into 
position, though I hardly know what thev were to do. 
Dickinson's Battery [L. & M. 3d U. S.] opened on the 
rebels and the principal effect was to draw the fire from 20 
guns on the hill so hot as to drive the battery off the field. 
Soon after, I was ordered into position near where Dickin- 
son had been. I was not put there to silence the enemy's 
artillery fire, our usual occupation, but to fire at the infantry 
behind the stone wall. I was not told to knock down the 
stone wall, but to fire at the road. So I blazed away, burst- 
ing shell and shrapnell over the road. Of course it was 
a good pyrotechnical display and may have frightened a 
few timid rebels, but the idea of its having done them any 
great injury is absurd. I do not know to this day what I 
was supposed to be accomplishing. I obeyed orders and 
did not ask questions. Our infantry stated that after I 
opened fire the rebels' musketry was not quite so hot, and 
it is possible that some rebel may have been deterred from 
poking his head over the wall by the idea that a shell might 
be coming over in that vicinity, but it seems to me an inop- 
portune moment for such a display. If I had been placed 
there to prepare or support a charge, I should understand 
that I was part of a design, but, as it was, I do not see that 
I did any good, and I do not imagine I injured a dozen 
rebels. Meantime I was the recipient of very flattering 
attentions from the 20 guns on the hill, though owing to 
my being in a sheltered position no great injury was done. 
Still the sensation was sufficiently disagreeable to show 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 543 

\\'hat would have been the result had we had a dozen bat- 
teries up there. 

Contrast all this with the Battle of Murfreesboro' where 
Rosecrans did what every great general does; he massed 
his artillery, and repulsed the rebels." 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

May 1-4, 1863. 

"But, as he rode along the ranks, each soldier's head was 
bare, — 
Our hearts were far too full for cheers, — we wel- 
comed him with prayer." 

John Boyle O'Reilly. — Uncle Ned's Tales. 

On the 26th of January, 1863, General A. E. Burnside 
having been reheved from the command of the Army of the 
Potomac at his own request, Major General Joseph Hooker 
was placed in command. Among his first Orders was one 
discontinuing the Grand Divisions of the Army instituted 
by his predecessor and returning on February 5th, 1863, to 
t-he organization with the corps as a unit. The Ninth Ci^rps 
vvas sent to Fortress Monroe, Major General George G. 
Meade was placed in command of the Fifth Corps, and 
Brigadier General Charles Griffin still held the command of 
the ist Division, attached to which was the Artillery 
Brigade commanded by Captain Augustus P. Martin, con- 
sisting of the 3d and 5th Mass. Batteries, the 4th R. I., and 
the 5th U. S. Battery Lieut. C. E. Hazlett. 

It was during this period of reorganization that General 
Butterfield devised the system of corps badges to be fastened 
upon the centre of the top of the cap, see p. 20. 

On the nth of April, 1863, General Hooker disclosed 
his plan of turning the enemy's left flank and severing his 
communication with Richmond by making use of the Cav- 
alry Corps, the organization of which he had himself orig- 
inated. He designed that the cavalry should establish 

544 



CHANCELLORSVIL L E. 




I. 'Place where 
& tiau 1^^ Z. Fi 

-,Th. f 



ere Sykes & G-r-i/fin encou-rrerecf f^e e-nemy /IprJlJO^" 
'irst jyoaitiov of Cavalry % Artillery /^pril 30"^ 3. Position 
^atterv nayZ'"^4.GriHrns Division. 5. Humphrey a' Bivh 



jsion 



of S^r^a S3. Battery Hay Z'"'^- 4. Griff ins JJivisiov. ^. Humphrey 
(>.Z8yTjLns 1.4 guns. d.Z4g-jns. Massed by Captain Wee J May3'^^v. 4*\ 
9. Position of S'"/iass. Hay 3'^^% 4'^- 10. Place uihere part of Battery 
halted iy TvistaAe during the refreai oj tlay 5^^ 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 545 

themselves so securely that they would be able to check 
Lee's retreat, while the Army fell upon his rear, or, at least 
ct)mpel him to fall hack by way of Culpeper and Gordons- 
ville with his supplies cut off. But the cavalry, under Gen- 
eral George Stoneman, on account of heavy storms and 
swollen rivers, were kept in and around Warrenton Junc- 
tion until April 29th, when it crossed the Rappahannock at 
Kelly's Ford, about 20 miles northwest of Fredericksburg, 
where the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Fifth Corps had rendez- 
voused; other corps crossing at Banks's Ford and United 
States Ford, and all moving down the river towards Fred- 
ericksburg. 

The Division of Grifiin and Sykes of the Fifth Corps 
crossed the Rappahannock at 1 1 a. m. of the 29th and pre- 
ceded by cavalry, who encountered a small force of the 
enemy's cavalry, forded the Rapidan, in water 3 feet deep 
and a swift current, at Ely's Ford. After passing Hunting 
Run, Griffin's Division was halted to await developments 
at United States Ford, where it was erroneously reported 
the enemy had appeared in force and made trouble for the 
cavalry. It having developed that the enemy had not ob- 
structed the passage of troops at United States Ford, Grif- 
fin's Division proceeded to Chancellorsville, which it occu- 
pied at II a. m. of the 30th of April. 

The post toW'U of Chancellorsville 76 miles northwest of 
Richmond consisted of one house, the Chancellor House, a 
public house built of brick and occupied by the Chancellor 
family. It w^as in a very exposed position. It was at one 
time General Hooker's Head Quarters and while standing 
on the piazza he was wounded. 

From this Hotel one road led to Fredericksburg, one to 
Gordonsville, one to Spottsylvania, and one to Ely's Ford. 
About 3 p. m. of the 30th, Griffin advanced a Brigade to 
support the cavalry at Banks's Ford, taking the Old Turn- 
pike in that direction about 2 miles from Chancellorsville, 



546 HISTORY OF THE 

where they found the enemy posted advantageously on a 
ridg"e of hills; their artillery commanding the road. 

Both Griffin and Sykes, the ist and 2d Divisions of the 
Fifth Corps were bivouacked in line of battle, the right rest- 
ing on Chancellorsville, and the left extending in a north- 
east direction towards the river. The Eleventh and Twelfth 
Corps, after overcoming comparatively slight opposition at 
Ger manna Ford, arrived at Chancellorsville, 10 miles dis- 
tant from Fredericksburg, about 2 p. m. of the 30th. The 
Twelfth occupied a line nearly parallel to the Plank Road 
in the woods, its left resting near Chancellorsville, and the 
right near a church about i^ miles off. The Eleventh was 
on the right of the Twelfth, its right resting on Hunting 
Run. Where the Ely's Ford road crosses Hunting Run 
there was a force of cavalry and artillery. 

General Hooker arrived at Chancellorsville from Fal- 
mouth, on the evening of the 30th. At 11 a. m. May ist the 
Confederates moved forward on the Plank and Old Turn- 
pike roads, the advance accompanied by artillery. They 
struck our forces under Sykes, who was ordered to with- 
draw. The Union line was well protected by breastworks 
which had been constructed out of logs, but the rebels' artil- 
lery swept the roads by which our troops were to advance. 

The left of Hooker's line extended from Chancellorsville 
to the Rappahannock; his right westward two miles, cover- 
ing the Germanna Ford road. He formed line of battle on 
the night of May ist in front of Chancellorsville at right 
angles to the Plank Road, with cavalry on his left flank. 

At 4 p. m. of May ist the Third Corps took position 
parallel to the Plank Road. 

Near sunset of May 2d, the rebel general Jackson crossed 
the Orange Court House and the Culpeper roads, and mov- 
ing down the Germanna Ford road, made an assault on the 
Eleventh Corps and overwhelmed its right flank, and reach- 
ing a gap left between the Third and Eleventh Corps com- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 547 

pelled the left of the latter to fall back, but were met as 
they poured through the gap by the Twelfth Corps artillery, 
by whom, assisted by portions of the Twelfth Corps infan- 
try, whose absence from that part of the line had left the 
gap. recalled from the support of the Third Corps on a 
reconnoissance, the enemy's advance was checked, and the 
midnight battle of the Third Corps, which Walter F. Lansil 
has so thrillingly placed upon canvas, resulted in the restor- 
ation of the line of the Plank Road and the original breast- 
works; together with the recapture of the guns and caissons 
that were lost, and the capture of two of the enemy's guns 
and three caissons. 

During the night of the 2d, by General Hooker's orders, 
the Fifth Corps moved out and occupied the road from 
Chandler's house to Ely's Ford, the left resting at Chand- 
ler's, the right connecting with the First Corps. Griffin's 
Division occupied the left of this line. 

Sunday, Mav 3d, the dav on which the main battle was 
fought, the enemy was engaged ^^"ith the Third Corps, a 
portion of the Second Corps and part of Humphreys' Divi- 
sion of the Fifth Corps, thoup"h it was Hooker's intention 
to have the main battle fought along the Ely's Ford and 
Mineral Spring roads. These supports were to hold the 
enomy in check while the Third and Second Corps were 
moving to new positions, which they accomplished with a 
considerable loss. 

By General Hooker's order the whole line withdrew to a 
new position north of the Chancellor House, covering the 
Ely's and United States Fords, the right of which was oc- 
cupied by the First and Fifth Corps, and at the junction 
of the Ely's Ford and ]\[ineral Spring roads Captain 
.bccphen H. Weed placed 56 guns : 28 on the right, 24 on 
the left and 4 at the junction. 

The Chancellor House about 2 o'clock, soon after it was 
abandoned as Armv Head Quarters, took fire from the 



548 HISTORY OF THE 

bursting of shells, and was destroved. The woods also 
took fire, and there was a forced suspension of hostilities, 
l^ut suffering indescribable of the wounded and dying left to 
the mercy of the flames. In the mean time General Sedg- 
wick had crossed the Rappahannock and occupied Freder- 
icksburg. He too was defeated and com.pelled to retire to 
the northern bank of the river. 

In the afternoon of the 4th General Griffin with the ist 
Division made a reconnoissance in the direction from which 
the attack had come the day before, ending with a sharp 
fight. 

In the midst of a terrific storm, on the night of the 5th, 
Hooker commenced the withdrawal of his troops across the 
river by way of the United States Ford, the Fifth Corps 
forming the rear guard. By 8 o'clock on the morning of 
the 6th the last of the Army had crossed, and by 4 p. m. all 
the bridges were safely withdrawn to the top of the hill, and 
the Army returned to the old camping ground across the 
river from Fredericksburg. 

THE MEMBERS' STORY. 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth,, Va. 

Jan'y 27, 1863. 

I heard yesterday that Burnside, Sumner, and Franklin 
had been relieved, and Hooker appointed to command the 
Army of the Potomac. This has been so often foretold, that 
it will surprise nobody. We want a general who can devel- 
op the qualities of his subordinates, not one who crushes 
every display of energy. Napoleon's secret of success was 
his marvellous power of making others work." 

Dyer's Notes: "J^n'y 28, 1863. A snow storm com- 
menced last night. At dark tonight still snowing. Have 
got a good fire so I am all right." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY 549 

Chase's Diary : "28th : Ver}' stormy in the evening — rain 
and snow — and 'a crowded house.' 29th. . . , Roll call 
emitted this morning. . . . The weather grew ver}^ warm 
and pleasant as the sun rose, and the snow is fast melting 
away. The ground \ery muddy. Plastering tent tonight 
as usual." 

LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK. 

"Camp near Falmouth. Va. 

Tan'y 28, 1863. 

. . . Not a man in the Co. had on a dry thread. All 
soaked through with rain, and we all suffered much from 
the cold and exposure. To make my situation more un- 
comfortable my horse fell with me in about two feet of mud, 
covering me from head to foot. Finally every Gun, caisson, 
and other carriage, settled in the mud up to the hubs, and 
there we left them and took to the woods upon a side hill, 
where we remained tw^o days, when we made an attempt 
to get back to camp. After fifteen hours hard work, with 
the assistance of fifty mules and all our horses, we suc- 
ceeded in reaching our old quarters. We are very short 
of money in the Battery, not having been paid by the Gov't 
for nearlv eight months." 



LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Jan'y 29, 1863. 

It looks less like moving than ever. This morning the 
snow is 4 to 6 inches deep, and things look very winterish. 
Rather more cheerful than the snow storm was the arrival 
of the Paymaster with a trunk full of greenbacks and post- 
age currency. \A'e received our pay for four months from 
July 1st to Oct. 31st inclusive, and consequently feel quite 
rich. You have no idea how pleasant the inside of a pay- 
master's trunk looks, all pigeonholed and stuffed with 



yo 



HISTORY OF THE 



greenbacks. I remember the time when paymasters carried 
round canvas bags full of gold and silver, but these have 
disappeared and the specie currency is represented by $5 
worth of nickels. I received three of these, and intend to 
keep them as curiosities, it is so long since I have seen any- 
thing but paper. For convenience I took $10 in postage 
currency, and I find it looks very pleasant, being new and 
clean; its appearance changes for the worse after 6 mos. 
use." 

Dyer's Notes: "J^n'y 30, 1863. Pieces and caissons 
painted today. Mud ankle deep." 

Chase's Diary: "Jan'y 31st, 1863. Posted the guard last 
night and today first half. Lieut. Scott returned from fur- 
lough." 

Scott's Notes: "J^^'y 3^' 1863. Snow here in drifts some 
2 ft. deep on a level. Eve pleasant. Commenced duties as 
Officer of the Day. The horses of the Battery were infected 
with glanders, and 18 were condemned to be shot." 

February 2d Lieut. Scott rode through some of the 
camps towards Fredericksburg. He notes in his Diary of 
the 3d that Lieut. Dunn of Martin's Battery had resigned 
and gone home. 

February 2d Corporal Chase cut his left foot instead of a 
stick of wood. Wound carefully dressed by Mr. Gale. 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 3d, 1863. My foot very painful all 
night and today. The men very busy building new houses 
and remodelling old ones. Cellars and basements strictly 
prohibited by the Doctors. Order to that effect read in 
line Feb. 2d. Feb. 5th. My foot convalescent. Helped to 
fell trees and draw up logs for fuel, and other light work 
p. m. Lieut. Blake left camp on furlough." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 551 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Feb. 5, 1863. 

I have painted all my carriages, but (ine, the paint having 
given out, and they now look quite fresh and clean. 1 have 
also floored the stables to keep the horses out of the mud, 
and am now keeping the men busy on their huts, having 
issued an order that all subterranean residences must be 
forthwith abolished. It is very desirable I find, to keep the 
men at work. General Hooker's General Order No. 3 
orders that not more than 2 men in a hundred shall have 
furloughs at the same time. Of course this is as much as 
saying that 2 can go, and the effect has been to set every 
man to applying for a furlough though he never thought of 
it before. I do not blame the men for wanting to go home, 
but I do not think the system adapted to strengthen the 
army." 

Scott's Notes: "Feb. 5th. Order for two days' rations 
to be ready to support. Snow going fast." 

Dyer's Notes: "Feb. 6, 1863. Orders received at Head 
Quarters to be ready to move at an hour's notice. A loaf 
of bread served out to each man at supper time. Announce- 
ment read in line that General Burnside was relieved from 
command at his own request. General Hooker to be his 
successor." 

Chase's Diary: '"Feb. 6. . . . Trains running all last 
night. Commissary stores going down the next day." 

Phillips' Diary : "Feb. 7. Warm and pleasant . . . the 
9th Corps is going off with Burnside. Dr. Schell called 
to bid good bye having been ordered to Washington." 

Dyer's Notes: "Saturday, 7th Feb. 1863. Benj. F. Story 
left camp to go home on a furlough, today, of ten days, to 
visit his family in Charlestown, Mass., the first furlough for 
an able bodied private since we left the state, 13 months 



552 HISTORY OF THE 

and 13 days. Troops are being transported down the rail- 
road towards Acquia Creek. On guard tonight." 

Scott's Notes: "Feb. 7, 1863. Had 18 horses condemned 
by Lieut. Carroll of the 5th Regt." 

Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, Feb. 8, 1863. Battery and 
Quarters inspected by our officers this a. m." 

Scott's Notes : "Feb. 8th. . . . Balloon up on a recon- 
noissance. General Hooker to reorganize the Army. . . . 
Reconnoissance returns from Rappahannock. They de- 
stroy a bridge. I suppose R. R. bridge at Rappahannock 
Station. Feb. 9th. Troops still passing down to the 
Creek." 



FROM CAPT. PHILLIPS' LETTER FEB. 8TH. 

"I think General Hooker is going to work very well, he is 
getting a very good staff. General Butterfield has great 
administrative abilities, and is thoroughly acquainted with 
the tactics and details of the service. General Warren, Chief 
of Engineers, is considered a very fine Topog. General S. 
Williams, McClellan's old A. A. G., is back, and has always 
been considered a very fine staff officer. The corps is an- 
nounced as the unit for Artillery, so that the post of Divi- 
sion Chief of Art'y will lose its importance. . . ." 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 9, 1863. Spent the whole after- 
noon in getting half a load of wood to camp. Team got 
mired in the woods, and we were obliged to throw half 
of our cargo overboard. An order read in line at the after- 
noon Roll Call to 'respect and obey' in future Serg't O. B. 
Smith as Orderly Serg't., John W. Morrison as Serg't. and 
Wm. B. Pattison as Sergeant. 

Feb. loth. Inspection of the Battery, — and 4th Rhode 
Island Battery, — by Captain Weed, 5th Regulars, at 12 m. 
today, after which our roll was called in his presence. 
Went with the Battery today, although my foot is still 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 553 

quite sore. Lieut. Blake returned from furlough and Sergt. 
Page left camp for furlough. Wm. Barry returned from 
con\-alescent camp at Alexandria." 

Scott's Notes: "Feb. lOth. . . . Battery inspected by 
Captains Weed, Martin and Waterman." 

From Captain Phillips' Letter of the nth: — "Yesterday 
in pursuance of the plan ordered from Hd. Ors. Army of 
the Potomac, Captain Weed inspected the batteries of this 
Division, the inspection occupying most of the forenoon. 
I was able to make a very respectable appearance; my car- 
riages, having been painted, looked c[uite neat. Captain 
\\'eed made no remarks, so that I cannot say how well he 
was pleased. Captain Martin has sent in his resignation 
twice, and both times he has been refused. General Hooker 
has just issued an order that resignations may be accepted 
\\hen accompanied by a surgeon's certificate of disability, 
or when it is evident that the officer can be replaced by a 
better man. Captain Martin says he thinks that he shall 
call for a Board of Examiners, and if they do not conclude 
tliat he is entirely unfit and ignorant, it will not be his fault. 
. . . Last night, soon after dark, a belated traveller called 
on me for hospitality. It turned out to be a correspondent 
of the New York 'Times' named Judd, a graduate of 
Williams College of the class of '60. Of course I was glad 
to furnish him with food and shelter. . . ." 

Phillips' Diary: "Tuesday, Feb. 10. 1863. Blake got 
back from Washington. He brought . . . Casey's Tac- 
tics, Anderson's Evolutions of Field Artillery, cards, 
paper, etc. ... A party of recruits left Massachusetts to- 
day. Wednesday, nth. . . . Spent the day in camp read- 
ing tactics etc." 

Scott's Notes: "Feb. 12, 1863. Battery D, 5th U. S. 
Artillery entered in hurdle race, best jumper to have 15 
days furlough." 

Dyer's Notes: "Feb. 13, 1863. Camp policed today in 



554 HISTORY OF THE 

good shape. Sounds of revelry heard tonight at Head 
Quarters." 

From Letter of Captain Phillips: "Feb. 14, 1863. Yes- 
terday forenoon, tempted by the bright sun and the dry 
ground, I started out for a ride. After calling on Lieut. 
Col. Sherwin (Thomas Sherwin Jr.) of the 22d, Scott and 
I started off on a round-a-bout trip. Striking the main 
road we crossed Potomac Creek about a mile below the 
bridge, and then followed up the stream and recrossed the 
creek just above the bridge. All expectation of an early 
movement vanished as soon as we struck the main road. 
The mud was intolerable, and the deep ruts brought back 
the Peninsula campaign to our minds. Assuredly no move 
yet. So great is the confidence felt in the immobility of 
the Army, that Captain Martin and Lieut. Walcott have 
sent on for their wives to come out. The introduction of 
ladies into our society will create quite an excitement, and 
I shall impress upon Henry the importance of keeping my 
boots well blacked. 

Log houses are almost universal out here, and we have 
just laid the foundation of one calculated to surpass any- 
thing now in existence. Its dimensions are 9 by 18, and it 
is to be divided into two rooms, one for a bedroom and the 
other for a dining room. When this is finished we con- 
template another of the same size as mine, and then we are 
going to cut doors and build entries, so as to connect them 
into one house, the dining and sitting room in the centre 
and the bedrooms opening into it. Whether we shall re- 
main long enough to finish our grand architectural design 
is more than I can say." 

Phillips' Diary: "14th. Lieut. Spear left on a ten days" 
leave. Scott commenced a new house 9x18, close to mine." 

Scott's Notes: "15th. Many ladies are visiting their 
friends in camp." 

Corporal Chase's Diary: "Feb. i6th, 1863. Company 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 555 

drilled on the manual of the piece a. m., and a Battery drill 
at 2 o'clock p. m. Acted as sergeant vice Peacock at 
Acquia Creek." 

Phillips' Diary: "Feb. i6. A large force of men were 
busy today throwing up earthworks on the hills this side of 
Potomac Creek. (In a letter Captain Phillips calls their 
number 2000 or 3000.) It is rumored that our Corps is to 
be left here to hold the Rappahannock, and the rest of the 
Army to go somewhere else. Nous verrons." 

The 17th it snowed all day, and on the i8th it changed 
to rain and was the severest storm of the season. B. F. 
Story returned to camp from furlough on the i8th. Cor- 
poral Chase posted the guard and the countersign was 
"Chicago." 

Scott's Notes: "19th. Brigade at work on fortifications: 
part of the day. Lieut. Lull returned from a furlough 01 
eighty-six days. Two recruits came on that day, George 
Macomber and O'Hara." 

Dyer's Notes : "Friday Feb. 20. Delightful day. A 
moderate wind that has dried \.\\) all the mud, and we have 
a dry, hard park again." 

Serg't. Page returned on this day. On the 21st Lieut. 
Scott finished up his house and occupied it with Lieut. Lull. 
Edward E. Rice returned from the hospital at Alexandria, 
and 2 new recruits Purbeck and Trumbull arrived. 

LETTER OF CAPT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Feb. 22, 1863. 

... I enlisted a man the other day, and a recruit turned 
up day before yesterday, having spent two or three months 
in travelling from Massachusetts to this place, in charge of 
different Provost Marshals as a deserter. So, on the whole, 
we are gaining a little. IMv men are in excellent health 
and spirits, and I consider the Battery now quite efficient. 



556 HISTORY OF THE 

. . . When I awoke this morning a snow drift lay in the 
middle of the room, extending from the bottom of the door, 
and sundry leaks at the eaves had allowed a feathery spray 
to cover my coats, pants, &c. Outside everything reminded 
me of New England; the air was filled with driving snow 
flakes, and the drifted snow lay a foot or two deep. Blake 
was even worse off than I, for, inside of his tent the snow 
lay. as he said, about 7 inches on a level. Scott and Lull 
in their new palace got along quite comfortably. This won- 
derful mansion, of which I wrote in my last, was finished 
3'esterday, and is now the wonder of the place. The dimen- 
sions are 9x18, the door is in one end. The rear serves as -.i 
sleeping apartment, and is ornamented by crossed sabres and 
other warlike instruments. Drapery curtains, looped up at 
pleasure, separate this from the front room, which serves 
as a sitting and dining room. A Sibley stove keeps up a 
summer temperature, and elegant paper hangings of grain 
bags create a comfortable appearance and look quite neat 
and gorgeous. Our dining table stands in the centre, with 
a rubber table cloth, — we have ordered damask, — and we 
cluster around the stove to cogitate, converse, &c. &c. At 
present (Sunday forenoon) we are disposed as follows: — 
Scott is sitting on his bed reckoning up accounts, today 
having been a settling day. Lull is lying on his bed read- 
ing. Blake is sitting by the door reading 'Yankee No- 
tions,' and I am sitting at the table writing." 

Phillips' Diary: "Feb. 22. A heavy snow storm all last 
night and today, drifting all around. A parade was or- 
dered at 12 m., weather permitting, to listen to Washing- 
ton's Farewell Address, but did not come off. Salutes were 
fired in the different corps." 

Scott's Notes : ''Feb. 22. . . . No movement outside for 
two days. . . . Snow nearly 12 inches deep." 

Guard mounting was omitted in the morning. The 
weather was too stormv for the cooks to make coffee in the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 557 

morning. Feb. 23d was clear and cold. Lieut. Spear re- 
turned from leave. 

Dyer's Notes: 24th. Drill this forenoon as usual on 
manual of the piece." 

On the 24th men were observed at work where a new 
bridge is to be built across Potomac Creek. 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 25th. Usual drill a. m. Weather 
pleasant and a lazy day. Nothing to do but chop double- 
and-twisted logs for exercise." 

Phillips' Diary : "Feb. 25th. The rebels drove in our 
pickets at Hartwood Church, capturing some of our cav- 
alry. Rec'd orders to be ready to march at a moment's 
notice but not to start." 

Scott's Notes : "25th. Took a ride among the camps. 
Found the going very bad. Snow melting fast. Troops 
at work on the work at the creek today. . . . 300 of our 
cavalry captured. (At Hartwood Church.) Feb. 27th. 
Cavalry return from the front. Rebs retire across the 
river, taking some prisoners and horses. Balloon up on a 
long reconnoissance. The Rebs intended to destroy Poto- 
mac Creek bridge. 28th. . . . Afternoon took a ride to 
the Lacey house opposite Fredericksburg, with Lieuts. Lull 
and Spear. Saw the Rebels at work on rifle pits : also their 
cavalry pickets. Found going very bad." 

Dyer's Notes : "Feb. 26th. Another recruit today." 

Phillips' Diary: "Feb. 27th, 1863. . . . Applied for 10 
days' leave." 

Chase's Diary: "Feb. 28th. Company drilled on the 
piece a. m. Went to provost marshal's to see about the 
boxes, instead of drilling. My weight today is 168 lbs.; 
eighteen lbs. 'premium.' March ist. Inspected the bridge 
over Potomac Creek, and the fortifications to defend the 
same, this p. m. with Serg't. Page." 

Phillips' Diary : "March 2d. . . . Capt. Martin went to 



558 HISTORY OF THE 

Washington to meet Mrs. Martin. Rode down towards 
the PhilHps house to get ambrotypes taken." 

Scott's Notes: "March 2d. Drill on pieces. Other bat- 
teries of Division out on drill. Mud drying up. Com- 
menced to build another house, for Spear." 

Dyer's Notes : "March 3d. Another recruit came today. 
22 new horses." 



BREVET RANK. 



An Act to Authorize the brevetting of Volunteer and other officers 
in the United States service. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President 
of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, to confer .brevet rank upon such com- 
missioned officers of the Volunteer and other forces in the United 
States service, as have been, or may hereafter be, distinguished by gal- 
lant actions or meritorious conduct: which rank shall not entitle them 
to any increase of pay or emolument. 

Approved March 3, 1863. 



Phillips' Diary: "March 4, 1863. Cold and blustering. 
. . . Captain Martin returned from Washington with Mrs. 
Martin and Mrs. Walcott." 

Scott's Notes: "March 5th, 1863. . . . Balloon up on a 
reconnoissance." 

Phillips' Diary: "March 7th. Started from camp at 7 
a. m, on 10 days' leave. Reached Acquia Creek at 9, started 
from there at 2, in the 'Jo^^^'i Brooks,' got aground and re- 
mained so till 4. Reached Washington too late for the 
train; put up at the Metropolitan. . . ." 

Dyer's Notes: "Friday, 6th March, 1863. No drill, but 
field movements displayed this afternoon out on the drill 
ground. 7th. Lieut. T. W. Terry of the 13th Mass. 
Battery arrived here today on a visit to the officers." 

Timothy W. Terry had been O. IM. Sergeant of the Fifth 
Mass. Battery. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 559 

Dyer's Notes: "March 8th. Sunday. Cooking range 
which the company paid for by subscription came today. 
Cost, $50.00. 

Scott's Notes: "March 8th. Lieut. Terry leaves for 
\\'ashington to join his battery at Fort Monroe. Attended 
divine service at Captain Martin's Head Quarters, con- 
ducted by Ehas Nason. 9th. Lieut. Spear Officer of the 
Day. Drill on pieces; Scott. . . . Officers of the 5th in- 
vited over to Captain Martin's Hd. Ors. Band in attend- 
ance." 

On this day a band of rebel cavalry passed through the 
Union lines, entered Fairfax, Va. and captured a general 
and a few privates; also all the government horses in the 
place, and made their escape. 

Chase's Diary: "March 9th, 1863. ... A 'council of 
war' was held by the men, and they voted to reform the 
cook-house discipline and to relieve Waddington and Burt 
from the cooking department. \\\ & B. were superseded 
by Townsend and Trumbull, who entered upon their duties 
with the new machine today. A new cook-house built and 
several improvements made." 

Scott's Notes: "March nth, 1863. 2 p. m. hitched up 
for drill by sections : Lull, Blake, Spear. 3 p. m. guns or- 
dered in position to command Potomac Bridge, fear of a 
raid by the Rebs. Ordered to report on some bread. 
Waterman in position near our left. Eve, sharp lookout 
kept." 

Dyer: "nth. . . We expect a raid from Stuart's cav- 
alry. On guard." 

Chase: "nth. ... A fatigue party detailed to clear up 
the ground round the guns, and three extra posts for guard 
added. With Whitcher all the forenoon cutting and draw- 
ing wood to camp 'for family use.' A picked up dinner, 
but hot supper of beef steak and soft bread. A game of 
base ball started after roll call this p. m. Company ordered 



560 HISTORY OF THE 

at the evening roll call to be ready to turn out at a moment's 
notice, and not take off our clothing. 12th. Everything 
quiet as usual last night." 

The same order for sleeping was given for the night of 
the I2th. 

Scott's Notes: "March 12th. Guns still in position. 
New recruit came in today. Brought in also a deserter. 
Men employed fitting up camp. . . . Received notice of 
discharge, — disability, — of Geo. F. Manchester. Signal 
lights thrown up from Hd. Qrs." 

Dyer: 12th. Thursday: "I was called up this morning 
at 3 o'clock to go on guard. Eighteen men are detached 
on the guard list." 

LETTER OE SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Mar. 13, 1863. 

We are hourly expecting an attack from the rebels, who 
are coming to try and destroy a high bridge of the Acquia 
Creek R. R. about three hundred yards from our camp. Our 
Battery is in position on a hill; also the Fourth R. I., and 
several others. Our pickets are drawn in to lead them on. 
The guns are all run back some from the brow of the hill, 
to be out of sight, and we will let them get to the bridge 
before we commence firing. Such are the orders, when, if 
they come, a force will cut them out in rear. For two days 
and nights no man was allowed to go out of camp or un- 
dress at night; not even to take off his boots. We think 
Gen'l Hooker is bound to trap them. I am anxious for the 
fun to begin, and think they will be surprised when we open 
up 30 guns on them, but the suspense is great." 

Captain Phillips was in Boston. 

Phillips' Diary: "March 13, 1863. Dined at Young's 
with Captain Allen." 

Scott's Notes: "March 13th. Ice makes at noon. Guns 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 5r.i 

still in position. Visited by Captain Martin and ladies. 
Sunday, 15th. Hitched up Battery. Inspected by ist 
Lieut. Scott. Pieces still in position. Martin's and Haz- 
lett's batteries out on Inspection. Eve, snow and hail, 
thunder and lightning." 

Serg't. Pattison left camp on furlough. Captain Phillips 
in New York on the 15th. Visited the iron plated ram 
"Dunderberg" building at Webb's ship yard. 

Chase's Diary : ". . . Ground covered \\\i\\ hail and sleet 
this morning. March 17th. 'St. Patrick's Day in the 
morning.' Grand gala day with the Irish Brigade. Bat- 
tery drill about an hour, and at 4 o'clock. Acted as gunner 
for the 3d Detachment." 

Captain Phillips March 17th was in Washington on the 
way to camp. Met Major Rice of the 19th, (Mass. Inf.) 
Captain Barnard (George M. Barnard Jr.) of the i8th, and 
Adjt. Patten of the 20th. 

RECRUITS. 

Head Quarters 

1ST Div. 5Tn CoKi'S, 
March 17, 1863. 
Special Orders 
No. 21. 
The following named enlisted men, having expressed a desire to 
serve with the Artillery, are temporarily attached to the Batteries in 
this command, with the consent of immediate commanders: — 



Private Nelson Thrasher Co. B. I4th N. Y. Vols. to Battery E. Mass. Arty. 
" Thomas Scott " " " " " " 

" Samuel F. Brazee " " " " " 

" John Lahee " " " '' " 

" Samuel A. Gorton " " " " " 

" William Martis Co. G. 32(1. Mass. Vols. " " '" 

Michael Graham Co. C. 1st Michigan Vols. 

Albert Lindsley Co. C. 1st Michigan Vols. " " " j| 

I'licliard Hornby Co. G. " " " " 

Kandall Fox Co. G. " " " " " " 

" Frank Shepard Co. I. " " " 

" Walter Northrop Co. I. " " " 

,J. Van Iderstine Co. I. " " " " " ' ^_ 

William Bugbee Co. K. 22d. Mass. Vols. " " " |^ 

Adolphus S. Crawford, Co F. 2d. Maine Vols. 



5G2 HISTORY OF THE 

Private William H. Foss Co. F. 2d Maine Vols, to Battery E. Mass. Arty. 

" Charles Keene '• " " " " " " " 

" Williain H. Mc Henry " " " " " " " " 

" William H. Jones Co. C. " " " " " " " 

Alfred Fork 
" Charles E. Foster " 

" John Murray Co. I. " " " " " " " 

F. C. Williams Co. K. 

" Robert Joyner Co. F. I8th Mass. Vols. " " 

Ernest Hein Co.H. " " " " " " «' 

" Richard Downey Co. — . 25th N. Y. Vols. " " " " 
" Fred Bugler Co. F. I3th N. V. Vols. 



By command of Brig. Gen'l Griffin. 



(Sd.) C. B. Mervine, 
A. A. G. 



Head Qrs. Div. Art'y 

1st Div. 5th Corps, March 19th, 1863. 
Official : 

A. P. Martin, 

Cabt. Coin'd'g. Div. Art'y. 



Colonel Clement A. Loiinsberry, who entered the ser- 
vice of the United States in the ist Michigan Reg-'t. Infan- 
try, and went home at the close of the war colonel of the 
20th Michigan, wrote in a letter dated Fargo, N. D. Aug. 
17, 1899:— 

"It is unfortunate that the part taken by the ist Michigan in this 
campaign is lost to history. They, however, lost 35 killed and died of 
wounds, and 97 missing, from March ist to June 30th, 1863. The win- 
ter previous they had been guarding the Washington and Baltimore 
R. R., and came to the Potomac early in March. They were at this 
time brigaded with the 18th Mass. and 13th New York. At Second 
Bull Run they were with the i8th Mass. in their assault upon the Con- 
federate batteries, advancing under a terrific fire, in which they lost in 
a few minutes eight officers. an(i nearly 50 per cent, of the men were 
either killed or wounded. They went into action with 20 officers and 
227 men, and but 4 officers were in camp unhurt, and less than 150 men, 
when the battle was over. 

The regiment had seen serA-ice at First Bull Run and was ihen re- 
organized 'for the War.' It was originally made up of mililia com- 
panies, and was the first western regiment to reach Washington, in 
'Sixty-One. It was from the cream of that regiment that the recruits 
mentioned came." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 503 

Corporal Shackley's Notes: "March i8, 1863, a number 
of men from the 14th N. Y., ist Mich., 32d Mass. and 
22d Mass. Infantry Regiments transferred to the Battery." 

PhilHps' Diary: "March 18th. Started at 8 a. m. in the 
'Zephyr' for Acquia Creek. Arrived at 12. Missed the 
train, took the next one at 3 p. m., and arrived at camp 
at 4." 

Chase's Diary : "March i8th. No drill today. Captain 
Phillips returned. The advance troops had a skirmish with 
the enemy yesterday, and the booming of artillery was heard 
today. A squad of recruits came today. . . . Gorton and 
Leahy came to board with us. . . ." 

Scott's Notes: "March 19th. Battery shooting at target 
near us. Our pieces in position. Cavalry drive the Rebs 
at Kelly's Ford. 20th. One man detailed to Battery from 
22d Mass. Order for Review of Division on the 25th." 

Dyer's Notes: "March 20th. The ist Brigade went on 
picket this morning." 

March 21st, 1863, Jonas Shackley was appointed Cor- 
poral to the ist Detachment. Patrick \\^elch was appointed 
Corporal to the 6th Detachment. 

Scott's Notes: "March 21st Rebs undertake to cross 
the Rappahannock and are repulsed." 

Phillips' Diary: "March 22d. . . . Lieut. Blake started 
on a ten days' leave. Fernald of my class called round in 
the afternoon." 

Scott's Notes : ''23d. 2 men from the 22d Regt. Bal- 
loons up on a reconnoissance. 24tli. Review for the 25th 
postponed (to the 26th). Rebs seen in force by our pick- 
ets. An attack expected." 

Chase's Diary: "March 24th. . . . Cutting and drawing 
up wood for family use, with Gorton and Leahy part of 
a. m. . . . Sergt. Pattison returned." 

From a Letter of Capt. Phillips, March 24, 1863. "While 
I was off we had a hedge put up around our tents, and a 



564 HISTORY OF THE 

little more done in the way of fixing up. Our quarters are 
now a little village by themselves. 25th. About midnight 
rec'd orders to be on the alert as the enemy was expected to 
make a dash.'' 

Scott : "25th. Troops turned out 4 a. m. False alarm. 
26th. Division reviewed by General Meade. Battery in 
line." 

Phillips' Diary : "26th. Squally in the forenoon. . . , 
Division reviewed in the afternoon. . . . The artillery 
crammed up in a heap in the worst part of the field." 

Chase: "26th. Went with the Battery to the Review. 
. . . Reviewed by Generals Hooker, Meade, and Griffin. 
The Division made a fine appea;rance, and was witnessed by 
quite a number of 'the gentler sex,' including Mrs. General 
Griffin's sisters. Weather fine most of the day, but a slight 
snow squall about 5 p. m. 27th. On fatigue today . . . 
the only fatigue duty I've done since last November." 

Scott's Notes : '^March 27th. Sergt. Morrison goes 
home on recruiting service with Lieut. (Thomas M.) 
Cargill of the 3d Mass. Battery. Drill by Capt. Phillips." 

Dyer's Notes. "29th. We have had quite a spirited 
game of base ball today." 

FROM A LETTER OF CAPT. PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

]\Iarch 29, 1863. 
It is the day after a battle that decides the result, and 
many a defeat in the hands of an able general is of more 
advantage than a barren victory. ... In my opinion if this 
Army is to make the main attack on Richmond from the 
North, it should be aided by another force operating from 
Suffolk against Petersburg and the enemy's communication? 
with the South. There must be 50,000 or 60,000 men 
around Fort Monroe, Norfolk and Suffolk, and 20,000 
could hold these points, leaving 40,000 free to operate 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



565 



against Petersburg. A vigorous movement upon this place 
would oblige the enemy to abandon Richmond, or to weaken 
its defences so mucli that General Hooker would find it an 
easy capture. It is not impossible that the main attack 
may be made on the south side of the James River." 

Chase's Diary: "March 31st, 1863. . . . About 3 inches 
of snow on the ground and rain one minute and snow the 
next. . . . Cleared up fine p. m. the snow nearly all melted. 
Spent the day in the tent playing cards and dominoes. No 
roll call this morning. Eighteen months in service. . . . 
Gained 'the hilltop of our service' today. Will the descent 
be as easy as the ascent? 3 spare wheels taken away to- 
day." 

Phillips' Diary: "31st. . . . About midnight received 
orders to be in readiness as the rebels were at Hartwood 
Church." 

Scott: "31st. . . . Roads very bad and creeks rising. 
. . . Our pieces still in position." 



FROM LETTERS OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

April ist, 1863. Camp near Potomac Creek: "Day be- 
fore yesterday I rode down to the Lacey house, and took a 
look at Fredericksburg. The inhabitants appeared to have 
moved back somewhat, and a few ladies were promenading 
the streets, dressed as stylishly, for aught I could see, as 
our Northern belles. 

April 5th. Last Wednesday, Scott and I rode down to 
the town of Falmouth where the 20th Regiment is en- 
camped. I have several acquaintances in this regiment; 
among them Adjutant Patten of the class of '58 and Cap- 
tain Henry L. Abbott of my class. 

A part of the way w^e went on the same road on wdiich 
we marched last summer on our way to join General Pope, 
and it is astonishing what changes have taken place since 



566 HISTORY OF THE 

that time. Then we marched along a narrow country road 
through a thick forest. Now nothing is left of the forest. 
The country presents nothing but a wide expanse of naked. 
barren hills. Fences have disappeared, and the old road 
can hardly be traced amid the labyrinth of wagon tracks. 

The troops have gradually moved back from the river, 
and there are now hardly any camps within two or three 
miles -of Fredericksburg. This movement has been more a 
matter of necessity than of choice, as troops must camp 
near firewood in winter time. 

The town of Falmouth offers nothing remarkable. It 
consists of 300 or 400 houses, situated in a bowl shaped val 
ley on the edge of the river. Sentinels of the Provost 
Guard are posted in the streets, and the principal houses 
are occupied as brigade and regimental headquarters. The 
population, exclusive of the 20th Reg't. consists principally 
of tow-headed children and a few clay-faced women. Be- 
tween the town and the river a line of sentinels are pacing 
back and forth just as they do round camp at home. This 
is the outer picket line stationed on a narrow strip of 
meadow, which runs along the shore. On the other shore 
is a corresponding line of rebel pickets, posted at rather 
longer intervals than ours, and more inclined to stand still 
and sit down. A mill just opposite the town appeared to be 
a kind of headquarters, as there were half a dozen greybacks 
lounging round. The 20th had their dress parade while we 
were there, in one of the streets, perhaps 500 yards from the 
rebel pickets, who have the privilege of witnessing the show 
for nothing. An order has just been issued establishing 
distinctive badges (see p. 20) for the different divisions of 
the Army. All the members of our Division, officers and 
enlisted men, are to wear a red Maltese cross in the centre 
of the top of the cap. I rather like the idea. The object 
is to prevent straggling, as every man will be compelled to 
wear a badge aud thus proclaim where he belongs." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY, 5G7 

Chase's Diary: "April 2, 1863. . . . Lieut. Blake re- 
turned and Corporal Gibbs left on furlough." 

Scott: "April 2d. ... 3d Army Corps said to be mov- 
ing to Acquia Creek to embark. Roads drying up fast." 

Chase : "3d. . . . Spent the evening playing euchre with 
Gorton vs. Leahy and B. Graham. 4tli. . . . Commenced 
snowing about 7 p. m. 5th. Sunday. All last night 
snowing, with a high wind. About five inches of snow on 
the ground this morning. No roll call last night or this 
morning, on account of the stormy weather. 

Battery arrived in front of Yorktown, Va. one year ago 
today, when we first heard the guns of the enemy. Lieut. 
Lull left camp for home." 

IN THE MASS. LEGISLATURE. 

RESOLVES CONCERNING MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENTS 

IN THE FEDERAL ARMY. 

Resolved, That Massachusetts bears in her heart those of her loyal 
citizens who have gone forth to defend the constitution and the laws, 
and to establish the integrity of our national government: 

That she views with satisfaction and pride their steadfast loyalty, 
and their gallant achievements : 

That she will continue to encourage and sustain them to the full 
extent of her power, and will send such reinforcements to their aid as 
the national authorities shall, from time to time, demand: 

That never has her determination to support the government, or her 
assurance of final success, been stronger than today : 

That, as she was the first to enter, so will she be the last to leave 
the field, until every armed traitor has disappeared from the land. 

Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to for- 
ward copies of these Resolves to the commanders of Massachusetts 
regiments in the field, with the request that they be communicated to 

their respective commands. 

Approved April 6, 1863. 



Chases Diary: "April 6, 1863. Drill on pieces, which 
are still in position; 12 m. Grand Review of Cavalry by 
Abraham Lincoln our President,— God bless him." 



568 HISTORY OF THE 

A CAVALRY REVIEW. 
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 
"Hd. Ors. Battery E. Mass. Art'y. 
Camp near Potomac Creek, Va. 

April 7, 1863. 

President Lincoln is on here just now and will, I suppose, 
review the whole army before leaving. Yesterday he re- 
viewed the Cavalry under Major Gen. Stoneman, about 
13,000 in number. The review was announced at 12 o'clock 
and I concluded to go. So Scott, Blake, and I mounted and 
set off. The roads were a little muddy, but not very bad 
The Cavalry were drawn up in a hollow square covering 
considerable ground, in fact, there was no one spot from 
which you could see them all. 

An American flag in the centre of the square marked the 
position of the reviewing officer, and thither we rode and 
soon found ourselves in a crowd of mounted officers of all 
grades, from generals to lieutenants; major-generals were 
quite plenty, in fact, I do not think I ever saw so many 
before, and there were brigadiers without number. 

A guard was placed to keep a place clear for the review- 
ing officer, and they paid no regard to brigadiers, keeping 
them back with the rest. 

General Stoneman was quite conspicuous, wearing his 
sash across the shoulder 'Officer of the Day' style. 

A little after twelve the President arrived, announced by 
a salute of 21 guns, fired in poor style by a horse battery. 
General Hooker rode alongside of him, General Butterfield 
just behind, and then a numerous, nameless staff, and an 
escort of Rush's Lancers. 

Mrs. Lincoln drove up in a carriage and took a stand in 
front of the crowd, in which were half a dozen ladies on 
horseback. Then the President, accompanied by Hooker 
and Stoneman, started off to review, and an immense caval' 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 5(59 

cade clattered after them. Although they rode along the 
lines at a slow gallop, the process occupied an hour or two. 
. . . General Hooker is the finest looking general in the 
army: tall and straight, with light hair and florid com- 
plexion. General Stoneman is a fine looking man : tall, and 
with a long beard. He is a very good cavalry officer. 
While the cavalcade was riding down the lines, I took the 
occasion to look round the crowd. 

There were lots of major generals that I never saw be- 
fore. There was Carl Schurz looking very savage, Maj. 
General Howard with one arm, and Major General Meade. 
I also met Scott of my class now General Gordon's assistant 
adjutant general, and S. M. Weld on Benham's staff. By 
and by the President returned to his station, and the troops 
commenced to pass in review. This was rather a tedious 
process, but we sat it through. The ist Mass. looked very 
well. After the Cavalry came the batteries of Horse Artil- 
lery attached to Stoneman's command, and they passed a 
second time at a trot. And then the escort of Lanciers 
came up, wheeled into line at a trot in front of the Presi- 
dent in splendid style, and then we went home to dinner. 
Last night I received an order that the 5th Corps would be 
reviewed today, but it was countermanded this morning." 

SOME RECRUITS GO BACK. 

By Special Order No. 29, Head Quarters ist Division 
5th Corps, April 7, 1863, the following named enlisted men, 
temporarily attached to the Batteries of the Division, were 
relieved and ordered to report without delay to their regi- 
ment, the 1st Michigan: — Privates Lindsley, Hornby, Fox, 
Shepard, Northrop, and Van Iderstine. 

GRAND REVIEW ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 

From Captain Phillips' Letter of April gth : — "President 
Lincoln rode round through th.e camp, the troops being 



570 HISTORY OF THE 

drawn up in line on the regimental parades. He rode by 
our camp about half past one : we presented sabres, he 
doffed his hat, and the ceremony was over. Yesterday the 
grand review of the season came off. The 2d, 3d, 5th and 
one other corps turned out on a large plain near the Phillips 
house, and in full view of the Rebels. The last corps men- 
tioned being some distance off, I did not learn what it was, 
I think it must have been the 6th. [In his Diary he says 
"6th."] . . . The troops were drawn up . . . each corps 
in three lines of a division each, each division of three bri- 
gades in line of battalions and each battalion in column 
closed en masse. 

The Artillery did not turn out. 

There must have been in the neighborhood of 80,000 or 
90,000 men. 

About II o'clock the President and General Hooker rode 
up with the usual cavalcade behind, and Scott, Spear, and 
I fell in with the staff, having made up our minds that this 
was the only way to see the review. The President rode a 
dark bay horse, wdiich he has ridden all the time. General 
Hooker on his usual, tall, white horse. Two little boys 
about 8 and 12, I suppose junior Lincolns, followed the 
President. 

The 2d Corps was the first reviewed, and the President 
rode down in front of the ist Division, and we pelted after 
him. As we rode along, I began to have some idea of the 
pleasure of riding in a cavalry charge. Half way down the 
line w^e came to a ditch and mud hole, and I expected to see 
somebody stuck, but the cavalcade all got through somehow, 
and away we went down the line, round the flank, and up 
the second line. More ditches and mud, but we pelt along 
up this line, down the third and roimd in rear, and the 
Corps is reviewed. Then we travel through the 5th Corps 
in the same w^ay; the cavalcade diminishing in numbers all 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



oi 



the time; then the 3d Corps was finished up in the same 
way. 

Then the President and General Hooker took position by 
the colors, and z^'c, the staff, formed behind them, packed 
like dried herrings. It is very pleasant being in a mounted 
crowd, particularly if the horses round you are of a kicking 
kind. However, no accident occurred, and we sat patiently 
for two hours, while three corps passed in review. There 
was the usual variety of officers and men, but a description 
would be uninteresting unless from a better pen than mine. 

By the time it was all over our appetites were pretty 
hearty, and we raced home to dinner. We had rather a 
funny time going and coming. Spear has a great tall 
horse, that has no idea of stopping after he gets started, 
and Scott's horse is a little worse, and never stops till you 
run him into a stone wall or a house. As we were going to 
the review we started off at a slow trot, but as each horse 
has a great fancy for being ahead, our trot soon changed 
into a run, and away we went. After running about half 
a mile, I reined up^ but the others kept on. Spear succeeded 
in stopping soon after, but Scott kept on till we began to 
think he was going to Acquia Creek. Finally he got his 
horse off the road, and ran him into a dense thicket of grape 
vines which stopped his career. Unless he had done this it 
is doubtful whether he would have stopped at all, as his curb 
chain had broken, and the horse had it all his own way. On 
our return we fell in with Lieuts. (W. H.) Follett and 
(Lewis V.) Osgood of Alartin's Battery, the latter having 
a horse very much like Scott's. They got run away with 
twice ; the first time the horses were stopped by running into 
a fence round General Whipple's Hd. Qrs., the second time 
they rushed through Major General Slocum's staff, over 
half a dozen ditches, and finally brought up among the tents 
round General Griffin's Quarters." 



572 HISTORY OF THE 

Scott's Notes: "April 9, 1863. Ice made. Drill on 
pieces. Waterman taken his pieces from picket. The 
President reviews troops on the Potomac: Belle Plains, 
loth. Drill on pieces. Company mustered- for strength. 
President reviews troops at Stafford Court House." 

Chase: "April loth. . . . Music at General Griffin's 
Head Quarters last night by the band of the 33d Mass. 
Regiment." 

Dyer's Notes: "April nth, 1863. Saturday. Base ball 
this afternoon." 

From Letter of Captain Phillips, April 12th: — "The past 
week has been noted for reviews. On Thursday, hearing 
that the President would review the ist Corps, I started off 
with Lieuts. Follett and Osgood of Martin's Battery, to see 
it. Our jaunt proved a long one, and the review seemed 
ever receding, but after travelling 10 or 12 miles, we 
found the Corps drawn up on a level plain on the shore of 
the Potomac River. They had just begun to pass in review 
when we arrived so that we saw the principal part of the 
show. The review, on the whole, was quite successful; the 
field was very smooth and level, the day was beautiful, and 
the troops marched well. We arrived at home about sup- 
per time, tired and hungry. 

Friday was very warm and pleasant, and the President 
reviewed the nth and 12th Corps. I concluded, however, 
that I had had enough of reviews and stayed at home. 

In obedience to orders I mustered the Battery and for- 
warded the rolls to the Adjutant General's, for the use of 
the Provost Marshal General in enforcing the draft. I 
hope they will fill up the old regiments and batteries at 
once. I find I have 117 enlisted men on the roll, needing 
34 recruits. 

This forenoon was warm and a little muggy, and we had 
the noveltv of being reviewed by a foreign officer: Major 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 573 

General Fogliardi of the Swiss army. I received the infor- 
mation just as I was hitching up for my usual inspection. 
The batteries were drawn up in a hollow square for review, 
and the General rode round the square. He did not seem 
inclined to spend much time in looking round, but rode 
round as if he was used to reviews. ... I have read Gen- 
eral Butler's speech, and consider it the finest oration deliv- 
ered for a long time." 

General Fogliardi had been chief of staff of Emperor 
Napoleon III. At this review he wore a cocked hat adorned 
with cock's feathers. He appeared to be about 30 years of 
age, and wore glasses. He was accompanied by Colonel 
Repetti and Lieut. Lubin, the latter acting as interpreter. 

Chase's Diary: "Sunday, April 12, 1863. Corporal Gibbs 
returned from his furlough. . , . April 13th. On guard. 
Countersign 'Brighton.' . . . Unpacked all the ammunition 
in the caissons." 

Scott's Notes: "April 13th. ... A general movement of 
cavalry. Heard of Lieut. Lull's receiving a commission in 
the 14th Battery." 

Phillips' Diary: "Monday, April 13th. . . . Lieut. Spear 
and I took a ride down to the Lacey house. . . . About 10 
p..m. received orders to have 5 days' hard bread packed in 
knapsacks and 3 days' ready to issue." 

Dyer's Notes: "April 14th. This morning we had or- 
ders to prepare for a march. Grain bags were made &c. 
, . . Went to Falmouth and changed ammunition." 

Scott: "April 14th. ... 2d and 3d Army Corps send 
sick to the rear. Balloons up reconnoitering." (At Fal- 
mouth. ) 

Chase: "April 14th. Usual drill a. m. Went with part 
of the company to Falmouth Station p. m. to change a part 
of the ammunition. Took all the caissons and limbers and 
exchanged the shrapnell for new ammunition of the same 
pattern. Had another view of the battle ground at Fred- 



574 HISTORY OF THE 

ericksburg; drank from Washington's favorite spring, and 
the afternoon passed away very pleasantly. Weather fine. 
Indications of a movement of the Army." 

Phillips' Diary: "14th. Changed Schenkle shrapnell for 
a newer pattern without the metallic covering. Lieut. Col. 
Webb inspected horses." 

GENERAL MEADE IN COMMAND. 

April 15th, 1863, Major General G. G. Meade was as- 
signed to the command of the Fifth Corps. 

Scott's Notes: "April 15th. Turned in at station 4 
horses. Rainy. Country flooded. Movement of cavalry 
stopped by Reb. cavalry; found enemy at the Ford. Some 
firing. Lieut. Lull returns from Mass. Went to Falmouth 
to purchase a horse. None there." 

Dyer's Notes : . . . "Troops moved to the front in the 
hardest of the rain, but had to return, as the roads were too 
bad to advance." 

Chase's Diary: "April 15th. . . . The tent flooded with 
water. No roll call this morning. . . . Orderly Serg't. 
Smith left camp on furlough." 

Scott's Notes: "April i6th, 1863. . . . Went to the Sta- 
tion. Drew for the Battery 9 horses. Got an order from 
Chief O. M. to purchase horse of Gov. : while at Falmouth 
saw the rebel camp and guns." 

Phillips' Diary: "April i6th. . . . Went to see Weston, 
who has just joined the i8th Regiment with a 2d Lieut.'s 
commission. April i8th I paid $120 to Capt. Pierce for 
my horse." 

Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, April 19, 1863. Carloads of 
sick soldiers passed here going towards Acquia Creek to- 
day." 

Chase: "April 19th. . . . Trains of cars very busy to- 
day, some run with great speed and others, up trains, are 
heavily loaded." 



FIFTH MASS. B ATT FRY. 575 

Phillips' Diary: "19th. Inspection at i p. m. ; then rode 
down to the Phillips house with Spear and took a look 
through the telescope at the Signal Station." 

Scott's Notes: ''April 20th. The President with Secre- 
tary Stanton visits the Army again." 

Phillips' Diary : "22d. Received orders to be in readi- 
ness to move. At 10 p. m. 1)egan to rain." 

From Phillips' Letter of the 23d : — "There are several 
regiments in our Division of two years' troops whose time 
of service is almost up, and who are making arrangements 
for going home. I do not imagine any of the men will re- 
enlist until they have been at home two or three weeks, and 
spent all their money. However much a soldier may rail at 
the discomforts of his life, he is as certain to return to it as 
a sailor is to go to sea again." 

Dyer's Notes : "April 23d. . . . Post rations again or- 
dered for the Battery." 

Scott's Notes : "April 24th. . . . Our pieces still in posi- 
tion. One piece of artillery put in fortifications at the 
Creek bridge. Communication open to Rappahannock Sta- 
tion from Alexandria by R. R." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 26th. . . . Scott and I took a 
ride round by Falmouth &c." 

Scott : "26th. Saw the Rebels on picket : their horses can 
be seen feeding. 

Chase's Diary: "April 25th. Serg't. Smith and Gard- 
ner Groves returned to camp." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 27. Pleasant. The Fifth Corps 
marched this forenoon. Sykes's Division at 10, Griffin's at 
II, Humphreys' at 12. One battery with each Division. 
Waterman's accompanying our Division." 

Scott's Notes: "April 27th. One regiment, 13th New 
York, refuse to march, their time being up. They remain 
in camp. Seward (W. H. Seward Secretary of State) re- 



570 HISTORY OF THE 

views one of the Corps. Salute fired. Troops moving up 
the river. One Brooklyn regiment leaves for home." 

Dyer's Notes: ''April 27th. . . . The 5th Regulars 
(Art'y) did not go." 

Chase's Diary: "27th. The loth New York Reg't. of 
Infantry — Zouaves — passed our camp this a. m. on their 
way home, free from service. . . . Warm bread for supper 
per Gov't. Bakers; selling out cheap as the troops are mov- 
ing. Weather delightful." 

AN INVALID CORPS. 

On the 28th of April the campaign opened, and an Invalid 
Corps was authorized. 

War Department, 
Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, April 28, 1863. 
General Orders 

No. 105 

The organization of an Invalid Corps is hereby authorized. 

The Corps shall consist of Companies, and if it shall hereafter be 
thought best, of Battalions. 

The Companies shall be made up from the following sources, viz. : 

First, By taking those officers and enlisted men of commands now 
in the field, — whether actually present, or temporarily absent, — who, 
from wounds received in action or disease contracted in the line of 
duty, are unfit for field service, but are still capable of effective gar- 
rison duty, or such other light duty as may be required of an Invalid 
Corps. 

Regimental Commanders shall at once make out, from information 
received from their medical and company officers, and from their own 
knowledge, rolls, — according to the Form furnished. — of the names of 
all the officers and enlisted men, under their commands, who fulfill the 
following conditions, viz. : 

1, That they are unfit for active field service on account of wounds 
or disease contracted in the line of duty, this fact being certified by a 
fied by the medical officer, as above, after personal examination. 

2, That they are fit for garrison duty: this fact being likewise certi- 
medical officer in the service, after personal examination. 

3, That they are, in the opinion of their commanding officers, meri- 
torious and deserving. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. TOWNSEND, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 577 

Phillips' Diary : "April 28. The Corps has marched sev- 
eral miles beyond Hartwood Church. The 5th and nth 
Corps are the only ones that have marched." Hartwood 
Church was a few miles north of Falmouth. 

Scott's Notes : "April 28th. Pieces in position. Drill on 
pieces. 13th N. Y. Regiment leaves for home. 29th. Our 
forces begin to cross the river above and below." 

Scott's Notes: "April 30th. Battery ordered to report at 
United States Ford to cross the (Rappahannock) river. 
Hitched up, broke camp and marched at i p. m. At 7 p. m. 
camped for the night at Hartwood Church (8 miles) near 
the Chancellor House. Eve, in camp. Travelling today 
bad. Forge not in camp." 

Chase's Diary : "April 30th. Quite rainy. Drivers or- 
dered to fill bags with grain. . . . An order read to us this 
morning that the recent movements of the Army have been 
successful &c. . . . Rather hard marching. The trail of 
the forge was broken, and men were at work all night re- 
pairing it. Some of the caissons had much difficulty in 
marching, and were delayed on the road an hour or more. 
Teams were sent back to help pull up the delinquents. Na- 
tional Fast by proclamation of President Lincoln." 

Phillips' Diary: "April 30th. . . . The 5th, nth and 
1 2th Corps are across the river. Camped at dark at Hart- 
wood Church, within 100 yards of our camping ground last 
November. . . . Broke Forge stock." 

Dyer's Notes: "May i, 1863. Reveille at 3 o'clock this 
morning. Boots and saddles about 5. Hitched up and left 
camp. We crossed U. S. Ford at 11 a. m. Heard firing 
ahead all day. Wheeling very bad. Reached the scene of 
action about 5 p. m., and drove into line at 10 yds. intervals. 
Fed horses, made and drank coffee, then turned in. Firing 
ceased about 6 o'clock. On guard." 

Chase's Account: "May ist. . . . A fine May morning. 
Passed thrcmgh the village of Eagle Gold Mine, and 



578 HISTORY OF THE 

halted about f of an hour, halted again for about an hour, 
and then resumed our march and crossed a pontoon bridge 
over the Rappahannock, near United States Ford, about 
■| past one p. m. A heavy firing of both artillery and mus- 
ketry commenced in front about 3 p. m. and lasted until 
night. A very heavy cannonading commenced about sunset. 
A hard march today, roads very rough and muddy. Troops 
in large bodies moving to the front all day. Weather fine, 
but rather warm marching." 

Scott's Notes: ''May ist. . . . Pressed on to join Divi- 
sion. Went into park at 6 p. m. near the Chancellor House. 
Skirmishing going on with enemy. Horses stood in har- 
ness all night. Division tried to obtain Banks's Ford, but 
were not successful. . . . Waterman's Battery in position 
last night. At dark quite a heavy skirmish." 

Phillips' Diary: "May ist. . . . The 3d Corps passed us, 
leaving their knapsacks in the woods. 

May 2, 1863, formed line of battle, our left resting on 
the river. Barnes's Battery on our right (ist N. Y. 
Light Battery C, Capt. Almont Barnes). Randol (ist U. S. 
Batteries E and G, Captain A. M. Randol), Hazlett, and 
Martin on our left, Humphreys' Division supporting us. 
Heavv firing on our right and centre. All quiet in our 
front. The ist Corps came over today. Our position in a 
beautiful oak grove, strengthened by a hedge abattis 
( Felled trees, with their sharp branches placed outward, and 
so interlaced as to present an irregular and thick row of 
pointed stakes towards the enemy.) rifle pits, &c." 

Dyer's Notes: "Saturdav, May 2, 1863. Our Battery 
with Martin's and the 5th Regulars still in park. Been 
hitched up all night. The 4th R. I. Battery came into park 
in our rear about 5. . . • ^^'e left here about 8 and went 
into position on the left in a wood on a high hill, command- 
ing a front of 600 acres. Quiet in our post all day. About 
5 p. m. heavy firing commenced on our right, and was kept 



FIFTH MASS. B ATT FRY. 57O 

up at intervals until midnight. A picket by discharging his 
musket created quite a stir-about on the line about 10." 

Chase's Account: "May 2d. Teams remained hitched 
up all night last night. Removed nothing from the pieces 
or caissons but our blankets. Cannonading last night kept 
up until about 8 p. m. Rested very well last night.. Battery 
left the ground occupied last night at /..^o, and marched 
about ^ a mile easterly, and placed the guns 'in Battery' in 
a piece of woods on the brow of a hill where they command 
a good sweep in front. The infantry are engaged in cutting 
down the trees and piling up wooden defenses. The posi- 
tion is a good one, well elevated, and the ground hard and 
dry. Weather delightful. The 4th Rhocle Island Battery 
joined us this morning, having been engaged in a slight 
engagement last evening. But little fighting up to about \ 
of 5 p. m., when it commenced in earnest on the Right, a 
sharp firing of musketry and some artillery. The impending 
storm has probably gathered all its fury and is ready to 
burst upon us. Everything is all ready for the enemy's 
reception, and the men are in good spirits. Weather warm. 
The firing slackened somewhat, but opened more furiously 
about I past 6 p. m. apparently on the extreme right, and 
gradually approached our front. Shovels and picks sent for, 
probably to throw up earthworks. The teams have re- 
mained hitched up all day, but were ordered to unharness 
about ] past 7 p. m. The firine approaches nearer and 
nearer the front. Steady fighting until about 8 p. m. Furi- 
"ous fight commenced again about ^ past 11 p. m. and lasted 
about half an hour; night mild and very pleasant. . . ." 

SEDGWICK AT FREDERICKSBURG. 

.Notes of Lieut. Scott: "May 3, 1863. Fighting com- 
menced on our right at sunrise. Heavy and one continued 
crash. Still in line of battle. Hard fighting till 1 1 a. m. 



580 HISTORY OF THE 

Our troops hold their own. Lost one piece of artillery on 
the Right where the fight was. 12 and 2 p. m. cannonad- 
ing heard at Fredericksburg. All quiet here. Very warm. 
Expect an attack on our front. Pickets driven in. . . ." 

Dyer's Notes: "... 3 stands of colors passed here that 
were captured. The enemy came in on our front : a very 
few shots were exchanged by infantry. . . ." 

Phillips' Diary: "May 3d. . . . The 5th Corps went to 
the right and the nth Corps took their places. A house 
standing within musket range of Lient. Lull's section was 
burnt down to prevent sheltering rebel skirmishers. A barn 
followed suit early in the morning." 

Chase's Diary: "May 3, 1863. Sunday. The sun rose 
red and clear. Not a cloud to be seen. Hard fighting com- 
menced again this morning about half-past five. A good 
night's rest last night. Routed out at 3 a. m. Watered the 
horses and hitched up. . . . Half past 6 a. m. An incessant 
roar of artillery and musketry since the battle commenced. 
About a dozen prisoners of the 33d North Carolina regi- 
ment passed by us to the rear. A few wounded men are 
being brought to the rear. All quiet on the Left. A small 
squad, probably a General and staff, went out on the road 
on our left front at 20 minutes past 10 a. m., when picket 
firing commenced. Men were ordered to posts, but the 
reconnoitring force came back immediately and the firing 
ceased. . . . Troops who have been engaged and relieved 
are coming to the rear with their wounded, in perfect order. 
Not a minute's cessation of firing since the battle com- 
menced, at half past five this morning, up to half past ten 
a. m., and the firinp- continues. . . . The firing began to 
slacken a few minutes after half past ten a. m., and gradu- 
ally ceased. Had the luxury of a bath in a clear running 
brook this morning. 

Ordered to go back to the caisson and remain there p. m. 
Another luxury, p. m., a change of clean clothing. Skir- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 581 

mishers went out on our left front at a quarter to 4 p. m. 
Weather warm but a good breeze p. m. Some skirmishing 
towards night. . . . 

May 4, 1863. On guard last night, last half, with Cor- 
poral Proctor at the caissons. Very mild and pleasant. 
Picket firing commenced at 4 o'clock this morning. Morn- 
ing very foggy. Major of the 60th N. Y. regiment 

accepted our hospitalities of hard bread and meat, this 
morning. His regiment was badly cut up in yesterday's 
fight and himself wounded in the left hand. 

A little rain fell in the morning, very warm p. m. All 
very quiet a. m. Ordered to unhitch and unharness a. m. 
Ordered to pack up and hitch up about i p. m. Drew the 
caissons in line, and unhitched and unharnessed again. All 
very quiet along the line today up to 5 p. m. when a sharp 
engagement commenced in the centre, which lasted about 2 
quarter of an hour. Weather warm. Troops commenced 
on a new line of intrenchments this evening." 

Dyer's Notes : "Monday, May 4th. The morning opened 
foggy but the sun cleared it off as it rose. The 12th Army 
Corps came in our front as our support in case of action. 
All quiet along the lines at 12 m. Sharp firing at 5 p. m. 
occurred on the right, lasting about 15 minutes. Wrote a 
letter home from the Field. On guard." 

Scott's Notes : ''May 4th. Enemy open at daylight on the 
river at our baggage train across the river. The battery 
is taken with an Alabama regiment : so report. Enemy keep 
quiet today. Afternoon a reconnoissance is made on our 
rieht. The enemy found in force. Some cannonading on 
the right. Our Battery still in line. Our rifle pits extend 
the whole length of the line. Heavy cannonading heard at 
Fredericksburg, which is kept up late at night. An attack 
expected." 

Phillips' Diary: "May_4th. . . . Kane's Brigade, Geary's 
Div. supporting us. General Kane in a state of perpetual 



582 HISTORY OF THE 

excitement. Major (Charles R.) Mudg^e and Lieut. Fox 
of the 2d (Mass. Infantry) came round." 

FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

''May 5, 1863, 8 a. m. 
We have been in our present position since Saturday 
morning in Hue of battle, but the Rebels have not con- 
descended to attack at this point. We were supported by 
the 5th Corps when we first came in here, but on Sunday 
morning they marched ofif to the right, and the nth Corps 
took their place. The fighting on Saturday and Sunday 
was quite heavy. We could hear the fighting, but of course 
knew nothing definite. Sunday forenoon was very noisy. 
In the afternoon we sent out a few skirmishers in our front. 
Heavy firing is going on occasionally in the direction of 
Fredericksburg where Sedgwick has crossed. During Sun- 
day night the nth Corps marched out and the 12th Corps 
marched in. . . . The 2d Mass. is half a mile to our left 
supporting Martin. . . . Captain Scott and Lieut. Perkins 
of my class are wounded. The 2d Mass. has lost 120 men. 
One regiment near us have the colors of the 4th Alabama, 
one of the regiments which took our guns at Gaines Mills. 
The 7th New Jersey took 500 prisoners and 3 colors belong- 
ing to the 2d North Carolina. I saw the flags as they went 
by here : 2 battle flags and one Confederate flag. Our artil • 
lery cut the Rebels up awfully. Captain Weed has got 80 
guns in position at Chancellorsville. and we have five bat- 
teries right along here. Our position is very strong. The 
line of battle extends along the crest of a hill strengthened 
by a rifle pit. In front is a road and a ravine, and beyond 
this an open field, the Rebel pickets being in the edge of 
the wood beyond, about 800 yards distant. . . . Cannonad- 
ing has just commenced on the right. 

Only a few rounds fired. 

All still again." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 583 

Phillips' Diary: "May 5th. Nothing new in our front 
In the evening marched to U. S. Ford, and crossed about 
3 in the morning. The infantry crossed soon after day- 
lireak and thus ended Hooker's attemjn to cross the Rap])a- 
hannock." 



Chase's Diary: ''May 5th, 1863. A good night's rest last 
night. Troops at work all last night putting up defenses 
near us. Some fighting last night. Went across the river 
with Serg't. Smith twice for grain this morning. Troops 
cutting down the woods for defenses a. m. . . . Ordered to 
take 3 caissons and the Battery wagon to the rear about 
3 p. m. Took the caissons of the ist. 2d and 5th Detach- 
ments to the rear, and parked them near the river on the 
sDuth side. A thunder shower came up about 4 ]). m., the 
rain fell in torrents for about an hour, but rained some all 
night. Serg't. Smith came to us about 10 p. m. with orders 
for us to hitch up." 

Dyer's Notes : ". . . Marched all night and recrossed the 
ford and camped about a mile beyond, raining all the time.'' 

Scott's Notes: "May 5th. . . . Very dark. Arrived at 
the Ford and stayed all night. All the artillery crossing. 
Infantry and cavalry this side of the River. Very wet and 
cold. May 6th. 4 a. m. crossed the Ford and on the north 
heights parked the Battery and fed; the enemy following 
up the retreat to the River. The whole Army moving back. 
At 2 p. m. arrived at old camp completely used up. Battery 
all back in good condition. No loss." 

Chase's Diary: "May 6, 1863. . . . ]\Iarched all the way 
but did not keep up with the Battery. Reached camp about 
\ past 4 p. m., about an hour after the Battery came in. A 
long, tiresome march. Never so much fatigued before. 
Troops came back today, regardless of order as soon as they 
recrossed the river. Some cannonading heard in our rear 
this morning. Found our houses nearly all as we left them 
on the 30th ult." 



584 HISTORY OF THE 

In a letter of August 6, 1899, Mr. Chase speaking of the 
material furnished for the History of the Battery, makes 
the following allusion to this march : — 

"I suppose others, like mine, were written under all the 
various vicissitudes of a soldier's life in camp and in battle, 
so that allowance must be made for imperfections. Some 
of mine was written while the enemy's bullets were whis- 
tling over us in line of battle — June 27, 1862 — and the one 
written at the battle of Chancellorsville was wet through by 
a blinding rainstorm. The horse I was riding missed the 
trail and I came near being mired in a soldier's grave." 



LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK. 
"Camp near Falmouth^ Va. 

May 6, 1863. 
We arrived here from the Battle yesterday afternoon, all 
safe but awfully muddy and tired. Some men had been all 
under in mud. We had only a few hours' sleep in five days, 
and when we arrived here we were so much exhausted that 
some had not strength to unharness their horses. Every 
man dropped where they were halted, and fell asleep. Our 
Battery was stationed on the Left, but it was a strong posi- 
tion, and we could not coax the Rebels to attack us. We 
did no firing. No papers are allowed here yet. I should 
like to see one, to hear if the battle was a victory or a de- 
feat. I think we killed the most men, yet our loss was very 
heavy. They took our line of rifle pits on the Right, and it 
cost us some 8000 men to retake them. Each of our guns 
was behind a breastwork, and they were built in all forms. 
I engineered our Section. We first cut down large trees, 
two feet through, leaving four feet of the butts above 
ground, then we cut up the trees in lengths of some 18 feet, 
piling them up in front of the stumps four foot high, the 
flank ends were put on of the same heighth and eight feet 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 585 

long. In front of all this lumber was thrown solid red clay, 
eight foot thick, and the height of the logs. It was a 
strong work, and I was disappointed in not having a chance 
to use it. The Rebels fought very desperately, and charged 
our artillery to the muzzle of the Guns. Our loss of artil- 
lery nien was very heavy. If I had time I could write you 
incidents enough of the Battle to fill a book. A Rebel cap- 
tain, hearing heavy firing on the right, — he was a prisoner, 
— said, 'I would give my right arm to be with my company 
in that fight.' 

It is reported here that our loss was 20,000, and the 
Rebels' 30,000. The firing on Sunday was the most terrific 
I ever heard. On both sides probably 150,000 men, and 
250 pieces of artillery were banging at one time. 

When you answer this please send me $10, I am all out 
Df money. Write soon. My love to all the folks. If I get 
killed use my money as you think best for my little sisters." 



CONGRATULATIONS FRO.vI HEADQUARTERS. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Falmouth, Va. 
May 6, 1863. 
General Orders 

INC. 49 

The Major General commanding tenders to this Army his congratu- 
lations on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not 
accomplished all that was expected, the reasons are virell known to the 
Army. It is sufficient to say they were of a character not to be 
foreseen or prevented by human sagacity or resource. In withdrawing 
from the south bank of the Rappahannock before delivering a general 
battle to our adversaries, the Army has given renewed evidence of its 
confidence in itself and its fidelity to the principles it represents. In 
fighting at a disadvantage, we would have been recreant to our trust, to 
ourselves, our cause, and our country. 

Profoundly loyal, and conscious of its strength, the Army of the 
Potomac will give or decline battle, whenever its interest or honor may 
demand. It will also be the guardian of its own history and its own 
fame. By our celerity and secrecy of movement our advance and pas- 
sage of the rivers were undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel 



586 HISTORY OF THE 

ventured to follow. The events of the last week may swell with pride 
the heart of every officer and soldier of this Army. We have added new 
lustre to its former renown. We have made long marches, crossed 
rivers, surprised the enemy in his entrenchments, and whenever we 
have fought, have inflicted heavier blows than we have received. 

We have taken from the enemy five thousand prisoners, captured 
and brought off seven pieces of artillery, fifteen colors, placed "hors-de- 
combat" eighteen thousand of his chosen troops, destroyed his depots 
filled with vast amounts of stores, deranged his communications, cap- 
tured prisoners within the fortifications of his capital, and filled his 
country with fear and consternation. 

We have no other regret than that caused by the loss of our brave 
companions, and in this we are consoled by the conviction that they 
have fallen in the holiest cause ever submitted to the arbitrament of 
battle. 

By command of Major General Hooker. 

S. Williams, 
Ass't. Adj. General. 



CAPT. PHILLIPS' REPORT TO CAPTAIN MARTIN. 

Duplicate sent to Captain Weed. 

Hd. Qrs. Battery E, Mass. Art'y. 
Camp near Potomac Creek, Va. 

May 7th, 1863. 
Capt. Weed, Chief of Corps, 
Artillery. 
Captain: 
The Battery under my command left Camp at Potomac Creek on the 
30th of April, in obedience to orders from Captain Martin, and marched 
to Hartwood Church. 

On the 1st we marched to near Chancellorsville. and remained in 
park all night. 

The next day I marched about two miles to our left, and placed the 
Battery in position, supported by Humphreys' Division. I remained 
there till the evening of the 5th, when by order of Capt. Randol I 
marched to United States Ford, crossed, and returned to our old camp. 

I have not been in action, have lost no men or horses, and the few 
implements I have lost can be easily replaced. 
Your Ob't Serv't, 

Charles A. Phillips, Capt. 
Battery E. Mass. Art'y. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 537 

Chase's Diary: "May 7, 1863. • • • The guards are like 
dead men when once asleep. Almost impossible to rouse 
them. Troops straggling back to camp all day. At work 
all day repairing and cleansing our caissons." 

Dyer's Notes : "May 7th. . . . Orders came in the after- 
noon to cook up three days' rations, and hold ourselves in 
readiness." 

Scott's Notes : "May 7th. The Rebs in full force at Fred- 
ericksburg." 

In a letter dated May 7th Captain Phillips says of the 
march back, that "it was the muddiest, dirtiest time" he ever 
had. The door, and all the furniture of his house, gone, 
desk and washstand, but the floor was left. 

Chase's Diary: "May 8th. . . . The ist Brigade of the 
I St Division, 5th Corps, started out again this morning to 
help get up the pontoon trains." 

In camp near Potomac Creek, May 9th, Captain Phillips 
wrote the following review of the recent movement, begin- 
ning with the formation of the column : — 

"The column consisted of the batteries of the 5th Corps 
which had remained behind, and marched in the following 
order: — Hazlett, Martin, Phillips, Barnes, Gibbs. (ist Ohio 
Light Battery L, Captain Frank C. Gibbs. ) The roads were 
not very bad but our horses were unused to pulling, and the 
column lengthened out very fast. However, before dark 
we reached Hartwood Church and went into camp. Captain 
Martin occupying our old camp, and we occupying his old 
camp of last November. The next morning we took the 
road toward the river and after the usual amount of stop- 
pages crossed on the pontoon bridge and pushed on. The 
road was quite bad, and we made slow progress. When we 
got over the river we could distinguish firing ahead, though 
not very loud. During the afternoon we passed the 3d 
Army Corps which had crossed just ahead of us. They 
were just unslinging knapsacks, and getting ready for ac- 



588 HISTORY OF THE 

tion. I saw General Whipple here for the last time, as he 
was riding- along his Division. (Major General Amiel W. 
Whipple died May 7, 1863, of wounds received at Chan- 
cellorsville.) About dark, just after passing a rifle pit 
which the Rebels had thrown up the day before and had 
been driven out of that morning, we came to a large open 
field, full of batteries. On our right was a large brick house, 
'Chancellorsville,' and this field was where the fighting took 
place. The firing ahead was kept up till about 9 o'clock. 
We remained hitched up all night, and the next morning 
preparations were made for action. The 5th Corps came in 
from the front and formed line of battle behind us, extend- 
ing to the left. About six o'clock we started down a road 
which cut at right angles the one we had come up on, pass- 
ing along the front of our Division. After marching about 
two miles Captain Martin directed me to place the Battery 
in position on a hill running towards the river, with Hum- 
phreys' Division supporting. The 5th Corps formed the 
left wing of the line extending to the river. The artillery 
of this wing was arranged as follows, counting from the 
left: — Randol 4, 12 pdrs., Martin 6, 12 pdrs., Hazlett 6, 10 
pdr. Parrotts, Phillips 6, 3 in., Barnes 4, 3 inch, com- 
manded by Captain Randol. Captain Weed commanded the 
Art'y of the Centre, consisting of 80 pieces. Waterman 
was between the Left and Centre. Randol, Martin and 
Hazlett were on a high hjll, and their right was separated 
from my left by a deep ravine on which the line of battle 
formed a deep re-entering angle. Along our front extended 
rifle pits, at first mere brush fences, but growing all the 
time until they became quite respectable entrenchments. 
Our position was quite strong, as our artillery had a clear 
range of the country for a thousand yards in front. In the 
afternoon the attack commenced on our right. We could 
hear heavy volleys of musketry and artillery, but of course 
had no idea what was the result. All was quiet in front of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 589 

us, and a reconnoitering party sent out through the woods 
did not find any force of the enemy. So the day wore on 
and we quietly went to sleep. The next morning stragglers 
began to come along, most of them wearing the crescent — 
nth Corps — on their caps, and all these reported the rebels 
victorious, while all the wounded men said we were beating 
them. 

On Sunday the firing commenced at daylight, and con- 
tinued till afternoon very heavy. About midnight I was 
awakened by a trampling round me, and found regiments 
marching all around me. It was the 12th Corps relieving 
the nth. One colonel jumped his horse over the log by 
which I was sleeping, and marched his regiment over, and 
before I got up in the morning, the pioneers had carried the 
log off to the entrenchments. Monday was perfectly quiet 
all along our lines. About 5 p. m. a thunder storm came 
on. The weather had been pleasant up to this time. About 
9 we were ordered to march to U. S. Ford. It was pitch 
dark and raining as we started out, but we managed to get 
along without serious trouble, except that one caisson got 
stuck in the mud and we had to unharness the horses and 
work an hour getting it out. We got to the hill near the 
Ford about midnight, and found a crowd of batteries wait- 
ing to go over. So we waited while the rain poured down 
on our backs and got over about daylight. As soon as we 
were across we pushed for our old camp, and arrived at 
home about noon, cold, tired, hungry, and disgusted, i 
have not found any one who knows why we recrossed. The 
Rebels certainly had not licked us, and our men were in 
tip top condition. ... No newsboys have been allowed up 
here since we came back." 

Phillips' Diary : "May 8th. The general conclusion seems 
to be that the rebels ran away from us a few hours before 
we ran away from them." 



590 HISTORY OF THE 

Scott's Diary: "May 9th. 1863. Went clown to Freder- 
icksburg. Rebels plainly to be seen at work repairing 
breastworks. Our forces returned to old camps. Rebel 
loss stated at 18,000 last fight. Stoneman went within two 
miles of Richmond ( see Hooker, p. 586) doing- them a great 
deal of damage. Balloon up on reconnoissance. May loth. 
All quiet on the Rappahannock. . . . Rebs occupy Freder- 
icksburg." 

Chase's Diary: "May loth. Sunday. A day's rest." 

Scott: "May nth. . . . Stoneman's cavalry returned. 
Found the people in Rebeldom not in a state of starvation. 
Brought off many horses. Went to Falmouth. Some of 
our prisoners, wounded, being brought across the River. 
25th New York Reg't. refuse duty, their time being out, 
and are kept under guard all night." 

Phillips' Diary: "nth. Osborne of our class, ass't sur- 
geon of the I St Mass. Cavalry, came round." 

Chase's Diary: "May 12th. . . . The 14th N. Y. Regt. 
passed our camp on their way home this a. m." 

Scott: "May 12th. Ambulance train gone across the 
River for our wounded at request of the Rebs. Several 
regiments gone home today. Drill on pieces. May 13th. 
Official notice of General 'Stonewall' Jackson's death, Rebel 
Army. Order to this Battery to report to General (Robert 
O.) Tyler, Artillery Reserve." 

Captain Phillips resumes his comments on the recent bat- 
tle in a letter dated May 13th, 1863: — 

"We crossed the river in good style, obtained a good 
position : the performance of the cavalry was splendid, and 
must have alarmed the enemy. But again we fell into the 
usual blunder of allowing the Rebels to attack us in detail. 
Even then, when their whole force was concentrated in an 
attack on our right wing, we kept them back. Only a por- 
tion of our Army was engaged. Of their three Corps com- 
manders Jackson, Longstreet and A. P. Hill; Jackson was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



.in 



killed, and Hill wounded, and it is known that all the avail- 
able forces of Longstreet's Corps were engaged. Well, 
after we had driven them back, cut their lines of communi- 
cation and captured their trains, and two days had passed, 
during which they did not venture to attack us, why then, 
we retreated across the Rappahannock and reoccupied our 
old camps ! 

Our Corps is being reduced very much by the expiration 
of the term of service of the 9 mos. and 2 years men. Hum- 
phreys' Division of 9 mos. Pennsylvania Regts. will have 
but two regiments at the end of this week. The 12th. 13th 
and 14th N. Y., 2 years men have left our Division and 
there are several more to go. ... 

Things look so much like a permanent occupation of the 
camp, that I am almost inclined to plant vines and flowers 
round my door. At any rate, it will do no harm if we move : 
morning glories, sweet pease &c. It will give me an oppor- 
tunity to resume my botanical studies." 

Dyer's Notes: "Thursday, May 14th. Orders came for 
all the infantry men in our Battery to report to the 5th U. 
S. Battery. They left about 8 o'clock." 

Scott's Notes: "May 14th. Large guns, 100 pounders, 
being taken up to Falmouth. The R. I. Battery ordered to 
report to Artillery Reserve instead of 5th Regulars." 

Chase's Diary: "May 15th. Broke camp about 8 o'clock 
this morning and marched about i^ miles towards Fal- 
mouth Station. Remained hitched up until about two p. m., 
when we unhitched and laid out a camp." 

Scott's Notes: "May 15th. Broke camp and moved to 
within a mile of Fredericksburg, in sight of the enemy's 
lines, and camped with the Volunteer Reserve Artillery, 14 
batteries, all under the command of General Tyler. Camped 
under the direction of Major (John A.) Tompkins of 
Rhode Island. Assigned to ist Brigade, Major Freeman 
McGilvery, 7 batteries." 



592 HISTORY OF THE 

"This move was a hard one for the 5th Battery," was a 
later comment of Lieut. Scott, "but it proved to be only 
temporary, for the interest of the movement then on foot." 

The Battery was inspected by Captain George W". Adams, 
Battery G, ist R. I. Acting Assistant Inspector of Division. 

Dyer's Notes: "May 15th. Started in the direction of 
Hooker's Head Quarters. After marching half an hour we 
drew up into line about half a mile from his Head Quarters 
where we were inspected : then unhitched and pitched our 
tents. Encamped in a large field." 

May 1 6th was passed in preparing camp accommodations 
half a mile from General Hooker's Head Quarters. 

Scott's Notes: "May i6th. . . . Went down to the river 
in front of Falmouth. Rebs at work on their works. Gen- 
eral Barksdale in command." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Falmouth, Va. 

Sunday, May 17, 1863. 

We have ceased to belong to the 5th Army Corps. An 
order was published last Wednesday, stating that the artil- 
lery in the different corps would be reduced, and certain 
batteries in each corps were ordered to report to Brig, Gen'l 
Tyler commanding Artillery Reserve. The batteries in our 
corps were Randol's (E & G) ist U. S. x\rtillery, Hazlett's 
D, 5th U. S. Artillery, and mine. Waterman's was subse- 
quently sent in place of Hazlett's. In accordance with this 
order, I reported to General Tyler, and on Friday marched 
from our old camp, and camped near a house formerly Gen. 
(D. B.) Birney's headquarters, and not a great ways from 
the Phillips house. . . . We are camped on a dry, barren 
plain, without a tree in sight, and yesterday we found it very 
dusty. We have our tents pitched so that their fronts form 
three sides of a square, with a fly, covering the centre, form- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 593 

ing a cool and shady porch, in which I am now writing. 
Our camp is roomy, clean, and rather pleasant than other- 
wise. We have a good view from it of the hills hack of 
Frederickshurg, rehel camp, etc. There are 13 other hat- 
teries encamped round us. . . . \\> are partially brigaded 
in brigades of four batteries. The weather is now Cjuite 
warm and tents are \ery comfortable. We brought our 
floors along with us, and have found very good sutlers 
round here. This forenoon I had my usual inspection. . . ." 

Phillips' Diary: "May i8th. . . . Lieut. Scott thrown off 
his horse." 

Scott's Notes: "May i8th. Battery to be inspected by 
Captain Adams. ... 11 a. m. inspection. Started with 
Captain Phillips on horseback, to go to Captain Martin's. 
Horse ran with me, and threw me against a tree, but did 
not hurt me beyond a few bruises." 

Chase's Diary: "]\Iay i8th. On guard today at Head 
Quarters of Major Tompkins . . . with W. H. II. Lap- 
ham, AL Coleman, and B. Doherty. Head Quarters at the 
residence of Mr. Thrashley. 19th. Relieved from guard 
this morning al)out 8 o'clock." 

Dyer's Notes: "May 19th. . . . This evening the .string 
band across the road gave us a moonlight serenade. On 
guard." 

Scott's Notes : " . . . Mr. Gale of this Battery detailed 
as hospital steward Div." 

Dyer's Notes : "May 20th. . . . Today the Battery drew 
rations from the Commission, such as vinegar, hard tack, 
and beans. Vinegar dealt out at night." 

Chase's Diary: "May 21, 1863. Usual drill a. m. Went 
to see the Rebels go through their brigade drill, at 'Water 
Call' p. m. Witnessed the above performance just across 
the river near Fredericksburg. Weather very warm. Rode 
Serg't. Peacock's celebrated war-steed 'Gabriel' to see the 
drill, p. m."" 



594 HISTORY OF THE 

Corporal Chase says of this horse in a note dated January 
20, 1 90 1 : — "Alexander's 'Bucephalus' was no account com- 
pared with 'Gabriel'; when he was fattest his ribs stood out 
in high relief like the rido:es of a washboard, and when he 
was lean, it was no worse. He would eat anything and 
everything, man included." 

THE HORSE GABRIEL. 
Notes of Sergt. Peacock, Jan'y 26, 1901. 
"About my old horse 'Gabriel,' — he certainly was a won- 
derful horse, and had a great affection for the Battery. 
On a march, or in a battle, I never hitched him. He would 
remain right with the Detachment horses until I wanted 
him, but gave me great trouble to drive away from the 
Battery, especially when on the move. Sometimes a car- 
riage would break down, and I would be ordered to the rear 
to attend to it. I would turn Gabriel away from the Bat- 
tery, but he would not budge. Often I was compelled to 
dismount and tie him to anything I could find, and wait 
until the Battery was out of sight, then I could manage him. 
He also was a great jumper, and would leap a wall or stream 
of water as easily as a rabbit. Sometimes he would take a 
notion to run away with me. After he had done this several 
times, our Blacksmith, Mike Hewitt, made me a long- 
mouth bit, that reached well up into his mouth. To over- 
come this, Gabriel would bend his long arched neck, and 
get his chin on his chest. This checked the power of the bit, 
and he would run when he felt like it. 

In leading: the horses to water, when near it, he usuallv 
made a dash for it, going in almost up to his ears and giving 
me a good wetting. 

Aside from these failings, he was a good horse, and we 
were much attached to one another. 

Serg't. Stiles told me when I saw him last, that after 
Gabriel was condemned and turned into the Corral, he felt 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 595 

so bad about it he got an order and went there and brought 
him back to the Battery, cared for him, and put him in 
shape so he rode him for some time. 

While the Battery had so many horses kihed and 
wounded Gabriel w^as never hit. My recollection is that 
Lieut. Scott rode him off the field at Gettysburg when he 
was wounded." 

Scott's Notes: "May 22, 1863. . . . Order came for a 
commissioned officer to accompany the horses at all W'ater 
Calls to and from water. Usually done by a sergeant. 

LEFT SECTION TURNED IN. 

May 23d. Orders came to consolidate the Battery, turn- 
ing in 2 guns, thus making us a 4 gun battery. Complement 
of men, present and absent, 118 men, 5 officers. This news 
was not well received by the company, but we were supposed 
to submit. Turned in Left section complete, to Major 
McGilvery at Acquia Creek." 

Chase's Diary : "May 23d. Usual drill a. m. Ordered to 
make the equipments of the Right and Centre sections good 
from the Left section p. m., as two guns are to be turned 
in." 

From Captain Phillips' Letters Sunday, May 24, 1863 :— 
"The batteries in this Division have been reduced to four 
guns, on account of the small number of the men, and I 
think it will add to their efficiency. I have not men enough 
to man six guns, and can manage a great deal better with 
four. Major Tompkins informs me that the arrangement is 
merely temporary — until the batteries can be filled by the 
draft, and no officers will be mustered out. 

I am sorry to say that everybody is moving to new and 
pleasanter camps. Hooker moved a day or two ago, and we 
shall move this week. My sorrow does not arise from any 
love for our present camp, but from the fact that these 



596 HISTORY OF THE 

movements do not look like an early advance. The roads 
are in splendid condition. We have not had a drop of rain 
for a fortnight, and the whole country is parched and baked 
hard. I don't understand why we don't go ahead." 

Diary : "24th : Rode over to the 19th Regt." 

Chase's Diary : "May 25th. Lieut. Spear and J. \\'inters 
left camp on furlough today. . . ." 

Scott's Notes: "May 26th. Lieut. Lull goes to Acquia 
Creek to turn in the Left section." 

Phillips' Diary: "May 2y, 1863. Moved camp at 8 a. m. 
to near White Oak Church. Camped in the edge of the 
woods." 

Chase: ''27th. Marched about 2 miles easterly. . . . 
Reached camp about 12 m." 

This was in the direction of Belle Plains. 

Scott : "May 27th. . . . Camp at White Oak Church. A 
good situation in woods on a hill, quite a relief from the 
sandy plain we have just left. . . . Horses well-sheltered in 
a grove." 

Chase: "28th. Quarters being built with much care." 

Dyer : "28th. All hands busy fixing up around their 
quarters, cutting stumps, sweeping &c." 

Scott's Notes : ''May 29th. At 9 a. m. attended meeting 
of members to form a court martial at Major Tompkins' 
Hd. Qrs. Present Major Osborne Pres't. Captains Hunt- 
ington and Douglass. Adjourned till Monday, same place. 
5th Corps and other troops moving up River. Enemy quite 
active and said to have crossed the River. Turned in 26 
horses. 4th Detach, equalized." 

Chase's Diary : "May 29th. Lieut. Spear returned. An 
order read in line assigning Sergt. Pattison to the ist De- 
tachment and Sergt. Simonds to the 3d. Sergts. Peacock 
and Page still retain the same positions as formerly. Plenty 
of whiskey, ale, and gin for the men in camp, for sale and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 597 

gratis this p. m. The men of the Left section assigned to 
the Right and Centre sections today." 

Scott's Notes: "May 30th. Rode over to Fahnouth. 
Road very dry and (histy. Fifth Corps said to be at Kelly's 
Ford." 

May 31st Lieut. Scott was appointed Judge Advocate. 
The court met and adjourned from day to day. 

Chase's Diary: "May 31st, 1863. Sunday. The Battery 
with the ist Ohio, Battery H, (Captain James F. Hunting- 
ton) was inspected by Major McGilvery of the Volunteer 
Reserve Artillery and the officers of the two batteries. 
Weather very warm a. m. but a good breeze p. m. A fire 
was started in the woods in the rear of our camp, and the 
'Assembly' was blown, and all hands sent to check the fire, 
which we succeeded in doing after some hot u'ork. On 
guard yesterday and last night, first half. Battery H 
(Ohio) and E (Mass.) got mixed up some last night about 
10 p. m. and Lieuts. Lull and Spear had to advance, and 
succeeded in scattering the guerillas. Some whiskey afloat 
and several knockdowns. 

'All quiet along the lines' at 11 p. m." 

Dyer's Notes: "Sunday. May 31st. A number of the 
boys are on mounted passes. June ist. Today about 20 
extra men were put on fatigue for a week." 

THE loTH NEW YORK LIGHT BATTERY. 

Phillips' Diary: "June ist. Captain Huntington marched 
about noon to Banks's Ford. Received 19 men from the 
loth N. Y. Battery." 

Scott: "June ist. . . . Battery drill by Captain Phillii)? 
— the dust blowing in clouds." 

Chase : "June ist. A lively drill about 9 a. m. in presence 
of :\Iajor McGilvery: changed the wheels, dismounted the 
pieces, etc. \\'eather very warm. 

June 3d. Battery hitched up at 8 a. m. and drilled about 
an hour and a half under command of Captain Phillips, and 



598 HISTORY OF THE 

afterwards drilled about an hour with the loth N. Y. Bat- 
tery under command, both batteries, of Major McGilvery. 
. . . Drilled on the manual half an hour p. m." 

Captain Phillips rode over to Falmouth and visited Col. 
Devereaux of the 19th Mass. Infantry. 

Dyer : "June 4th. Orders came early this morning to 
prepare to move. Everything got in readiness at 5 a. m. 
About 7 o'clock orders canie to unhitch, unharness, and 
pitch our tents. ... 19 men . . . came over tonight." 

Chase's Diary: "June 4th. . . . The ist Ohio, Battery H, 
hitched up the second time, and left the camp. Edward E. 
Rice left camp to accept a commission this a. m. 

Some of the batteries have left their camps, and others 
still remain." 

Scott : "June 4. . . . Only 2 batteries moved up to the 
Ford. All troops under arms. Alarm false." 

Captain Phillips' Letter : "June 4th. A little brook runs 
along our front, where we water, and there is a wood in rear 
of our park in which our tents and horses are placed. . . . 
Our own tents are in among the trees, and we have built a 
green arbor where we swing a hammock and enjoy our- 
selves." 

Scott : "June 5th. . . . Went to ride towards Belle Plain 
and Potomac Creek. Went outside Picket line. Received 
orders to draw another section, making us a six gun battery 
again: 33 horses from the loth New York, and 19 men. 
Five p. m. firing on the Rappahannock below the city. 
Sixth Corps after shelling the rebels out, crossed the River. 
Went down to the River. Saw some skirmishing. The 
Sth Battery was inspected by Major McGilvery. The men 
were encouraged, and the Battery stood well in drill and 
inspection." 

Dyer: "June 5th. Heavy firing heard in the direction of 
Fredericksburo- at 6 o'clock p. m." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



i9J> 



Chase: "Bugler Winters returned from furlough." 
Captain Phillips' Letter: "June 5th 8 p. m. The 6th 

Corps crossed at Franklin's crossing of last December, about 

sunset. No serious resistance. . . . All furloughs stopped. 

Saturday forenoon : I have just got my two guns and horses. 

No movement yet. All quiet on the river." 

THE GUNS COME BACK FROM THE FOl'RTH 
RHODE ISLAND. 

Notes of Private John E. Dyer : "Saturday June 6. 1863 : 
At reveille we were notified we were to have two more 
guns again, and the men's names were read who were 
assigned to these Detachments. I being assigned to the 
5th Detachment, Sergt. Morgridge. 

Two guns came to us from the R. L Battery, our old 
Peninsula pieces." 

Scott's Notes: "J^"''^ ^^th. Harris's Light Cavalry 
camped near us during the night, from Yorktown. . . . 
Some skirmishing on the river. Our troops in position. 
Rebs. obstinate." 

Phillips' Diary : "Ji-i"e 6th. . . . Obtained two guns and 
caissons from Captain Waterman, and 32 horses and one 
section of harness from Lieut. C. T. Bruen, loth N. Y. 
Battery." 

June 6th a sergeant of the loth N. Y. was assigned as 
sergeant of the 6th Detachment of the Fifth Mass. Battery, 
vice Simonds in charge of the 3d. 

Dyer's Notes: "J""^ 7tli- Brigade inspection. . . . 
Regulations read in line at Tvetreat.' On guard." 

Scott: "June 7th. Am Officer of the Day. . . . Our 
troops still across the river. Some cannonading this after- 
noon. Harris's Light Cavalry gone to Warrenton. 

Tune 8th. . . . Went to the River. Our forces still across. 
having thrnwn up rifle pits." 



600 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Phillips' Letter: "June 8th, 1863. Yesterday 
being very pleasant, after a brigade inspection I rode down 
to the river to take a look at our troops on the other side. 
The bridges are laid at 'Franklin's Crossing.' At this point 
the hills on the other side are nearly two miles back from 
the river, and the plain between the hills and the river is 
occupied by our troops. Our pickets are within pistol shot 
of the w^oods which cover the hills, while our main body lies 
just over the river. Part of the Corps is over, and the rest 
is on the flat on this side ready to cross. Everything 
seemed very quiet. A few rebels in the edge of the woods, 
but no other demonstration. 

The 5th Corps is stretched along the river from Banks's 
Ford to Bealton : Huntington's Batterv is at Banks's Ford : 
Ames of our Brigade at United States, (Capt. Nelson Ames 
Battery G, ist N. Y. Light.) Martin at Kelly's. Captain 
Huntington was in here at noon, and reports all quiet where 
he is. The river is verv low. A slight thunder shower 
Saturday night, is all the rain we have had since the storm 
when we recrossed the river from Chancellorsville, and the 
country is very dry. . . . T have the finest set of horses I 
ever had or saw. ^^^^en I was reduced to a four gun battery 
I of course turned in the meanest ones I had, and last week 
when I received two more guns I went over to the loth 
N. Y. Battery and picked out the best horses they had. So 
I have a lot now that will not stick at anything." 

Scott's Notes: "J^me 10, 1863. Battery drill by Captain 
Phillips. Some firing up River said to be a cavalry fight 
at Culpeper. Detailed on Court Martial. June nth. . . . 
Am off duty to-day attending Court INIartial at Major 
McGilvery's. . . All quiet on the river here. 

Fight at Ellis Ford with Stuart's cavalry." 

Dyer's Notes: "Thursday June nth. An inspection of 
knapsacks this afternoon." 

Scott's Notes: "June 12th, 1S63. . . . Went down to 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. fiOl 

the river. Our troops still across. Our forces mounting 
six lOO pdr. Parrotts." 

Letter of Captain Phillips: "June 12. Some movement 
is gi>ing on here. \Yt have received orders to reduce hag- 
gage, and this morning I sent off knapsacks &c., allowing 
the men to retain merely a blanket and change of under- 
clothes. The 3d Corps marched last night, and the 
Tst Corps this morning up river. The Battery is in tip top 
shape." 

Chase's Diary: "June 13th. 1863. ^Marching orders 
D. m. Orders to destroy all our suri)lus caiup equipage 
before leaving." 



CHAPTER XVII. 
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 

July 1-3, 1863. 

GENERAL MOVEMENTS 

"But yester-eve, so motionless around, 
So mute was this wide plain, that not a sound 
But the far torrent, or the locust bird 
Hunting among the thickets, could be heard; — 
Yet hark ! what discords now, of every kind ! 
Shouts, laughs, and screams, are revelling in the 

wind; 
The neigh of cavalry ; . . . . 
Ringing of arms, and flapping in the breeze 
Of streamers from ten thousand canopies ; . . ." 

— Thomas Moore. 

The display of audacity of the southern confederates, 
which during the Maryland raid of September, 1862, they 
were well aware had stimulated confidence in their cause 
abroad, was repeated in June, 1863, with the hope of hasten- 
ing- intervention in their behalf by foreign powers, and was 
carried into Pennsylvania so far north of the dividing line 
between that state and Maryland, as to give them, if un- 
molested, a fair chance of turning the tables on the national 
army, and of compelling from the national government the 
credit for intrepidity ever yielded to the ensnarer by the 
ensnared. 

But the account for this bold cavalry dash was to be 
settled in plain view, for all the world to see and pass judg- 
ment upon for all time, in a clear field, divested of all 
complicating circumstances which could render it unintelli- 
gible; on free Pennsylvania soil, and north of the not too 

602 



GETTYSBURG. 

The Fj'shi-of July Z"'^ 




/. PhiHrps' S''*/fQ.ss.Saff£-ry. Z. Bi's&low's. 3. Z''/iI]3atteri,S. 4-J^arf-'s. S./Jmes: 
^.Thompson's. LPeaoh Orchard. S.TrostJe's house.. 9. Seco-nd Post tion 
Of the. S'^^Mqss. J0.LosrPartof5th.nass. I/. Meade's H&ad Quari-e.-rs. 
/Z. fic/9J77sTers fiHl /3. R&h&lBntte-rf'es Si7s-nce. d /4. Pe6&7<s:-7fT;adir7j 
Batteries. /S. Low Marsh. JG.HyJJ upon luhich the Be'deJs brougTit 
rhe.ir JBatte.rie.5. /7. Fle.Tnove.dPie.ce. by hand. /87\oadfrom TQne-ytoivn 
P(oadfo Emmittsiurj Poad. /3.T>arto/s"' Corps. ZO. Mouse or<d Bam. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



603 



loyal city of Baltimore, leaving the sacred cordon of defence 
around Washington not only inviolable but actually 
unassailed. 

All the important bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio 
railroad from Martinsburg to Cumberland, IVId. had been 
destroyed. Creeping up through the mountains the rebel 
cavalry, preceding a Division of infantry, encountering 
our forces in a series of skirmishes, reached the town of 
Carlisle, Penn. in the centre of the Cumberland \'alley, 
1 8 miles from Harrisburg the capital of the state, on the 
27th of June. 

Another Division of infantry, moving up by other roads, 
encamped near Chambersburg, Penn.; another marched to 
the north east of Gettysburg occupying the town of York, 
breaking railroad communication between Baltimore and 
Harrisburg; also, to facilitate their movements the Chesa- 
peake and Ohio canal had been considerably damaged. 

Orders were issued to move north to Harrisburg, but 
crossing the Susquehanna River at Wrightsville, they en- 
countered our forces at the bridge, and soon becoming 
aware that their progress north was not to be unaccom- 
panied, on the 28th of June, the day Meade was placed in 
command of the Army of the Potomac vice Hooker resigned, 
they called together their divergent columns, and leaving 
a Division at Chambersburg to guard their rear, after 
attempting to obtain supplies at Gettysburg, and there on 
the 30th being repulsed by our cavalry under General John 
Buford, who had come up from Fairfield through Emmitts- 
burg; failing, also, to obtain supplies through the mountain 
passes in the presence of our troops who were being rapidly 
reinforced, they determined to make an attack upon Gettys- 
burg, there establishing their lines in positions favorable 
for artillery on Seminary Ridge, all ready for immediate 
action in the great battle of Wednesday, July i, 1863. 

The Union General John F. Reynolds had moved up his 



604 HISTORY OF THE 

Corps, taking up a defensive position. He commanded the 
Right wing, consisting of the First, Third and Eleventh 
Corps. 

The recoil of the rebel advance had placed the enemy 
in the vicinity of Gettysburg, a village originally laid out 
by James Gettys in 1780, situated seven miles from the 
southern border of Pennsylvania, which separates it from 
Maryland, and 136 miles by rail from Philadelphia. At 
the time of which we write, it had become a town of about 
3000 inhabitants, and was the seat of Pennsylvania College, 
founded in 1832. In the near neighborhood are the Gettys- 
burg medicinal springs, and one mile from the centre of 
the village there rises from the valley Seminary Ridge on 
which stands the Lutheran Theological Seminary, founded 
in 1825. 

Gettysburg lies between two parallel streams, Willoughby 
Run and Rock Creek, which here run nearly south, about 
two and a half miles apart. Between these two streams 
run three parallel mountain ridges. Rock Creek flows along 
the foot of Gulp's Hill on the east, and finally passes be- 
tween it and another rocky, wooded eminence known as 
Wolf's Hill, Gulp's Hill commands Cemetery Ridge and 
Spangler's Hill, another rocky elevation covered with 
woods, and its intrenchments protected our communications 
with Baltimore. 

West of the town about a half-mile, is Cemetery Hill 
where Evergreen Cemetery is located. Cemetery Ridge and 
Seminary Ridge run on nearly parallel lines, north and 
south. Directly opposite Seminary Ridge about three miles 
south of Gettysburg are two wooded hills, spurs of 
Cemetery Ridge, called Great Round Top and Little Round 
Top. 

Both hills were steep and covered with large rocks. Big 
Round Top has an elevation of 300 feet above the valley. 
Little Round Top is not so high by 113 feet. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. (,;05 

Little Round Top is also called Sugar Loaf Mountain 
and Granite Spur. It is near a cross road, about a mile 
and a quarter long, between the Baltimore turnpike and 
the Emmittsburg road. Great Round Top lies southwest 
of Little Round Top. The road which led to Emmittsburg, 
a small town 50 miles w^ n. w. of Baltimore and 10 miles 
s. s. w. of Gettysburg, left the Union Centre at the foot 
of Cemetery Hill, and diverged rapidly, crossing the field 
between the two armies, and entered into the Confederate 
line opposite the Union Left. This road was on rising 
ground, traversing obliquely the space between the main 
ridges. Far in the distance to the southwest is South 
Mountain of the Blue Ridge, in the state of Maryland, 
w^est of which the battle was fought September 14, 1862. 

Ten roads from surrounding towns focus at Gettysburg 
viz., Hagarstown, Chambersburg, Harrisburg, York, Car- 
lisle, Mummasburg, Hanover, Baltimore, Taneytown and 
Emmittsburg. 

THE DISPOSITION OF THE FORCES. 

The territory embracing all the movements of the three 
days' fighting, is five and a half miles long by four and a 
half broad, covering twenty-five square miles. On Semin- 
ary Ridge, about a half-mile beyond the town, which they 
held, were formed the enemy's lines. The Right of the 
Union forces turned, at the junction of the Emmittsburg 
road with the Baltimore turnpike, to the east and south, 
with the rebels between the extreme right and Rock Creek. 
The battle lasted for three days, commencing on Wednes- 
day July I, 1863. The engagement of July ist was west 
and south of the town, our Left resting on the Millerstow-n 
road; the Right being prolonged to Rock Creek on the 
Harrisburg road. 

The First and Eleventh Corps on July ist had been over- 
borne by superior numbers, and forced back through Gettys- 



606 HISTORY OF THE 

burg, with great slaughter, but held the field until the 
remainder of the Army of the Potomac came up. General 
Hooker in command of the Army broke camp at Fredericks- 
burg June 15, 1863. and was moving northward from the 
Rappahannock. 

On July 2d and 3d the fighting was on the south and east, 
the Union forces occupying a position south of the rebel 
army. The troops engaged were the First, Second, Third, 
Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and the Cavalry Corps 
under General Alfred Pleasanton, with an average for each 
corps of less than 11,000 men. 

Brigadier General Henry J. Hunt was Chief of the 
Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, Brigadier General 
Robert O. Tyler commanded the Division of the Reserve 
Artillery. The First Volunteer Brigade of this Division 
was commanded by Lieut. -Colonel Freeman McGilvery and 
was composed of the 15th New York, Light, Captain Patrick 
Hart, F and G, Pennsylvania, Captain R. B. Ricketts, 
Fifth Mass. Battery, Captain Charles A. Phillips, Ninth 
Mass. Battery, Captain John Bigelow. 

The Position,, July 2d, 1863. 

On July 2d, our Centre rested at the Cemetery, the line 
extending east across the valley to Gulp's Hill, down its 
eastern slope, across Spangler's meadow, and resting at 
McAllister's Mill or Rock Creek. The Left wing commenc- 
ing at the Cemetery extended down the Ridge and in front 
of it to Round Top. 

General Meade arrived at i a. m. of the 2d, and approved 
of the position selected and the disposition of the troops. 

THE BATTLE LINE. 

On Gulp's Hill were the Twelfth Corps, General Henry 
W. Slocum, at their left on Cemetery Hill were the First 
Corps, General John F. Reynolds, divided and thrown to 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 607 

the right and left of the Eleventh Corps, General Oliver 
O. Howard, who occupied the Cemetery. The Second 
Corps, General Winfield S. Hancock, were placed on the 
left of the First Corps. The Third Corps, General Daniel 
E. Sickles commanding — Captain George E. Randolph chief 
of artillery Third Army Corps — who arrived on the night 
of July ist and lay on Cemetery Ridge, took position on 
the 2d at the left of the Second Corps. Subsequently, 
abandoning the line drawn from Cemetery Ridge toward 
Little Round Top he advanced to the Emmittsburg road 
without, it is asserted, informing General Hancock and 
thereby leaving a gap of some hundreds of yards between 
the right of the Third Corps and the left of the Second. 
One reason given for this change was that the position to 
which General Sickles had been assigned was low and un- 
tenable. Having reached the Emmittsburg road, he formed 
of his troops an angle, both sides of which were subject 
to an enfilading fire, one along the Emmittsburg road to the 
peach orchard, the other from the peach orchard southeast 
to Devil's Den, a rocky gorge at the foot of Little Round 
Top. 

Early in the morning, General Robert O. Tyler had two 
Brigades of the Artillery Reserve in park behind the line 
prescribed for the Third Corps, and by 10.30 a. m. the 
remainder of the Reserve had arrived, and was parked 
between the Taneytowai road and the Baltimore turnpike. 
The right of the Third Corps was three-quarters of a mile 
in front of Hancock's left, and the left a quarter of a mile 
in front of the base of Round Top. At this time nearly 
all of the Confederate army had reached Gettysburg, and 
was in condition for immediate action. The Union troops 
were rapidly concentrating. General Meade was on the 
ground. 

The Fifth Corps under General George Sykes, which had 
marched at night from Hanover, 16 miles east, came up at 



008 HISTORY OF THE 

noon of July 2d, and moved to the Left of the Hne on and 
about Round Top. The Sixth Corps, General John Sedg- 
wick, making a hurried march, and coming up later in the 
afternoon, were massed on the Taneytown road at ]Man- 
chester, Md., a small village about 34 miles n. n. w. of 
Baltimore, and 9 miles northeast of Westminster, which 
is on the Western Maryland railroad. Taneytown, Md., is 
on the Frederick branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad 22^ 
miles n. e. of Frederick, and 40 miles n. w. of Baltimore. 

The Union lines from Cemetery Hill to Round Top faced 
nearly west, but from Cemetery Hill to the extreme right 
it faced east, being about four miles long, nearly semicircular 
in shape; the two flanks being one and a half miles apart. 
The Confederate line was nearly the same shape, but ab-jut 
a mile and a half longer, being on the outside, which in some 
respects was a disadvantage, but the long range of hills 
afforded more available space for artillery. 

The number officially reported as "present for duty 
equipped" in the Army of the Potomac was 101,262, of 
which 6,zP7 were officers, and 7,546 belonged to the artillery 
arm of the service, but it is computed that the actual 
strength, including the reserves and all arms of the service, 
was approximately 85,674, with 354 pieces of artillery. 

Major General Meade was in command of the Army of 
the Potomac, General Hooker having voluntarily resigned 
on account of incompatibility. He could not see his way 
to act contrary to his own judgment. General Meade's 
headquarters were in a small house on the south side of the 
Taneytown Road, a short distance in the rear of the Second 
Corps the Centre of his battle line. In front of the advanced 
line, of the Left wing was a ravine, and beyond the ravine 
was a stone wall, which enclosed a wheat field, and south 
of that was a peach orchard. 

From Seminary Ridge descended the Confederate force 
on July 2d, to attempt to turn our Left near Little Round 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. G09 

Top, and from the same elevation on the same day, they 
made an equally futile attempt to storm our Centre at Ceme- 
tery Hill. 

General Sickles' advanced line extended through the 
Devil's Den, along the Emmittsburg road, and across Plum 
Run, It was to turn this line and obtain possession of 
the ground, that the rebel general Longstreet made the 
memorable assault of the 2d of July, on Ward's (Colonel 
George Hull Ward's) Brigade of the Third Corps, which 
soon extended along the line. The design of the enemy 
was either to turn our Left flank, or to move directly across 
country and take the Union army in the rear, and they 
made choice of the plan to outflank. 

In the rear of the Third Corps, afterwards reinforced by 
the Fifth Corps and the infantry of the Sixth, were the 
Brigade of batteries commanded by Colonel McGilvery, 
which included the Fifth Mass. Battery. 

Between two and three o'clock the rebels, who were direct- 
ing the fire of their artillery upon the troops at the Peach 
Orchard and along the Emmittsburg road, sent their in- 
fantry down into the valley. They crossed the Wheat 
Field, leaped the stone wall, and charged on the Divisions 
of the Third Corps, which were unable to hold their posi- 
tion, notwithstanding the assistance given them on their 
right by the Fifth Corps, on account of their inability to 
hold the two mountain spurs and defend their left flank. 

The endeavor to extend their line to cover this exposed 
ground, scattered their forces, and compelled them to fall 
back after two hours of hard fighting. The retreat of a 
Division of the Third Corps on the extreme left forced by 
this desperate charge, let the determined Confederates in 
upon the artillery in the gap between the left of the infantry 
line and Round Top, numbering 30 pieces hurriedly posted 
there; the extreme left of which was held by the Ninth 
Mass. Batterv, who were in position with the Fifth Mass. 



610 HISTORY OF THE 

Battery on the cross road to the left of the Peach Orchard, 
and who at this critical moment were directed to remain on 
the ground, and continue firing-, until other batteries should 
be sent to their relief. But the Ninth Battery was forced 
to give way and retire firing, saving five out of their six 
guns, and so the enemy fell upon the Fifth Mass. Battery, 
which retired in the same way, and with the Ninth took 
up a new position farther up the hill from which they 
again opened on the enemy, whose attack now being 
enfiladed by the fire from the troops of the Centre of our 
line suffered great loss. They had encountered a Division 
and a Brigade of the Fifth Corps coming up from the Balti- 
more turnpike, who protected the mountain spurs Little and 
Big Round Top, and drove the rebels back across the ravine, 
over the stone wall to the Wheat Field whicli they held for 
the night. 

Our new position was strengthened by reinforcements 
from the Right and Rear, consisting of Divisions of the 
First and Twelfth Corps, and later of the Sixth Corps, 
aided by a cross-fire of the powerful batteries of the Artil- 
lery Reserve now posted along Plum Run : so that before 
nightfall of July 2d, the advantage was on the side of the 
Union forces, for the elevated position on Cemetery Ridge 
to which they had been compelled to retire, proved to be 
impregnable. 

While the Third Corps had been making this bold advance 
and suddenly been whirled back again, the field at the 
Centre and on the Right was comparatively quiet until dark, 
when a charge was made on our batteries on Cemetery Hill, 
by the enemy's troops leaving the town for that purpose, 
and was repulsed. 

Then a night attack was made on the Right wing, by 
which they gained a temporary advantage, having our works 
in their possession for a few hours, and seriously threatening 
our Rear. All failed, however, through the alertness of our 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 611 

artillery, which was placed in a position to protect the weak 
portions of our line on the Right, and at daylight on the 
3d, our infantry, after a sharp contest, had repossessed them- 
selves of the works, and frustrated the attempt to cut off 
our communications with Baltimore. On July 2, 1863, the 
sun set at 7.23. After dark a council of war was held, at 
which all the corps commanders were present, and it was 
resolved to retain the present positions, and fight it out on 
those lines on the morrow. 

THE BATTERY MOVEMENTS. 

"Who are these hangers-back, these 

dark-robed ones? 
They are the mothers who are reft of 

sons; 
The wives whose dearest lie all unca- 

ressed 
Afar with vital stains on brow or 

breast: 
The children orphaned at the mouths of 

guns." 

— Richard Burton, The Background Group. 

The follow'ing minute narration of the movements of the 
Battery leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg, has been 
collated w-ith the most painstaking accuracy, from the 
Diaries and Letters of 1863, as w^ell as Notes of a more 
recent date, from the pens of Captain Phillips, Lieuts. Scott 
and Blake, Serg't. Peacock, Corporals Thomas E. Chase and 
Jonas Shackley, Privates John E. Dyer and Louis E. 
Pattison, 



We left our camp near White Oak Church, Saturdav after- 
noon June 13, 1863, betw-een 4 and 5 o'clock. As we had 
been expecting to move v^ith the Artillery Reserve for some 
time, we were all ready, and started out on the road to 
Stafford Court House. The road was quite good, but dusty. 
Weather very warm until about 7 p. m., when a thunder- 



612 HISTORY OF THE 

storm came up, but very little rain fell. We of course en- 
countered the usual delays from wagons, teams etc. A short 
distance before reaching Stafford Court House there was 
a steep hill, which seemed to have caused most of the delay. 
Half a dozen wagons, a caisson, and a forge, were tumbled 
over on either side, but we got up without a halt. We were 
on the march all night. Drove out on the side of the road 
at 4 a. m. of Sunday the 14th. Ceased raining. We fed 
our horses, made coffee, and after a halt of half an hour 
and a scanty meal, we started and pushed on for Brooks 
Station and Dumfries on the Potomac. The roads were 
good, though very dusty, and we travelled briskly. Went 
about two miles on a wrong road; countermarched, and 
took the right road. Reached Dumfries about noon and 
made another short halt. After dinner we started again, 
and with constant halts pushed on till dark. Then for some 
inexplicable reason, the column halted and remained till 
nine, moving during that time about a quarter of a mile 
by fits and starts, then another halt of two hours. All the 
delay was caused by a hill ahead, up which our Battery 
went with halting. After passing this hill we kept on at 
a pretty good jog. We had marched all day and all night, 
a hard march for man and beast, and were pretty well played 
out. At 7 p. m. when we had made coffee, we lay down to 
rest, but before we had rested 15 minutes we were called 
to "Attention." Not a wink of sleep Saturday night, and 
but one hour's sleep Sunday night. About sunrise, Mon- 
day, June 15th, we crossed the Occoquan River by fording 
it at Wolf Run Shoals. Halted at 6 o'clock, and unhitched 
and unharnessed; watered, fed and groomed our horses, 
made coffee, and rested about an hour. About 9 a. m. 
hitched up and marched about 3 miles beyond Fairfax 
Station, and went into park in a large field just at the edge 
of a fine grove of hard wood, about f of a mile from Fair- 
fax Court House, at i p. m. When we arrived we were very 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 613 

dirty, very hungry, and very sleepy. Take it all through 
it was a pretty good march. We were on the road 44 
hours, and marched over 50 miles without sleep or rest 
of any account. Some of the men went to sleep on horse- 
back, and one sergeant rode quite a distance ahead of the 
Battery, fast asleep. 

On this march, Major McGilvery's wagon got stuck in 
a mud hole the other side of Dumfries, and the driver got 
discouraged and left it, reporting to the Major on his arrival 
in camp. The Major sent back after it, but as several thou- 
sand infantry had passed over the same road, nothing was 
left but a drowned mule and a few fragmentary evidences 
of the contents. By this accident the Major lost his trunk, 
clothing, papers, tents, mess stuff, and was in a very desti- 
tute condition. On the morning after we reached Fairfax 
Court House, Captain Phillips found him breakfasting off 
hard bread and coffee, and insisted on giving him some- 
thing better, which he was fortunately able to do, as his 
larder was pretty well stocked. 

The night of the 15th all had a good night's rest. 
Reveille at the usual hour on the morning of Tuesday, the 
1 6th. Rested in camp all day. At night shelter tents were 
issued to the men. Inspection of the Battery at 6 p. m. in 
light marching order by Major McGilvery. News came 
that the rebels were in Chambersburg. The Rappahannock 
evacuated. Roll call in the evening at 8 o'clock. Turned 
out at 9 p. m. Drew two days' rations of coffee, salt pork 
and bread, and strapped on 4 bags of grain to each caisson 
and two to each gi.m, at ^ past 9 p. m., to be ready to march 
the next day : then turned in again. 

On this day Captain A. P. Martin was put on detached 
service, — commanding Artillery Brigade, Fifth Army 
Corps, by Special Order, and Lieut. Aaron F. Walcott as- 
sumed command of the Third Mass. Batterv. 



614 HISTORY OF THE 

Reveille at 4 o'clock June 17th. Rebels said to be in 
Maryland. Fifth Corps at Manassas; other corps on the 
march toward Leesburg. Struck tents, hitched up and 
packed up for a march. After waiting about an hour orders 
came to unharness and stretch the picket line. Turned in 
our grain, and quietness reigned again. 

June 1 8th. Battery hitched up about half past 9 a. m., 
and was inspected by Major McGilvery. A sergeant and 
five gunners were sentenced to stand on the caissons, for not 
knowing what they had never been taught about the "time ' 
and "elevation" table. They were ordered to stand there until 
they learned the table, but were relieved in about f of an 
hour as ignorant as before. The men had raw pork for 
dinner. 

June 19th. Big drill on the manual of the piece in the 
afternoon and harness by detail. Cavalry fight at Aldie. 
The Rebs are driven. 

June 20. All the 26. Corporals called to Head Quarters 
and questioned about the "time table" etc. 

On the 2ist heavy cannonading was heard to the north- 
west in the direction of Bull Run. Fighting all day at 
Thoroughfare Gap. Cannonading at the rate of 6, 15, 12 
rounds per minute. 

June 22d, the Battery hitched up and drilled in the morn- 
ing: company drilled on the manual in the afternoon; also 
the drivers harnessed their horses by detail. The men were 
kept at drill on the piece, harness drill and battery. Noth- 
ing but famine rations of fat pork had been served out to 
the men for two or three days, and they were being reduced 
to a state of suffering and tyrannical discipline as fast as 
possible. No coffee allowed the "Non-Coms." for twenty- 
four hours, as punishment for not suppressing noisy and 
disorderly conduct of the men at tea time. "Non-Coms." 
had coffee as usual, without having to go after it. Pork 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 615 

without — anything else — for dinner. About 400 rebel 
prisoners pass, from Thoroughfare Gap. 

This day Lieut. Spear was appointed acting assistant 
adjutant general in McGilvery's Brigade. Some cannonad- 
ing to the west. 

June 23d, laid out a new camp in the grove and cleared 
the ground of rubbish. Two rows of tents were arranged, 
and we now had a neat, orderly camp. Captain Water- 
man's battery had been transferred to the Sixth Corps, and 
Captain James F. Huntington (of Battery H, ist Ohio, 
Light) had been transferred to the 3d Brigade of the 
Artillery Reserve, taking command of the brigade. The 
only infantry in our neighborhood, was the Sixth Corps, 
and we knew nothing of the whereabouts of the rest of the 
army. We heard firing occasionally to the westw^ard, and 
knew the result when we got the newspapers. Two batteries 
of our brigade, Ames' (Battery G, ist N. Y. Light, Captain 
Nelson Ames) and Dow's (Sixth Maine Battery, Captain 
Edwin B. Dow) started this morning for Edwards Ferry. 
News came of the cavalry fight at Middleburg on Sunday. 
Two pieces of artillery, 3 caissons, i blown up, and the 
enemy driven towards Ashby's Gap. Major McGilvery 
gone to Washington. 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Fairfax Court House, 

Tuesday morning, June 2t„ 1863. 

As things began to look like a permanent camp, I have 
taken to drilling, and yesterday I had the camp pitched over 
again. We have sent on to Washington, and are now living 
on such luxuries as tomatoes, pease, string beans, squash, 
asparagus &c., bottled ale for dinner, and oranges and 
bananas for dessert. I wish our men's fare was as good, 
but they are at present living very poorly, on hard bread 



G16 HISTORY OF THE 

and salt pork, no soft bread, no vegetables, not even salt 
beef, and what little fresh beef they get is hardly fit to be 
eaten. And as if to prevent them from improving the bill 
of fare the sutlers are not allowed to come out from Wash- 
ington, — rather aggravating, to be within 15 miles of a 
good market and not allowed to buy anything." 



June 24th, about 125 rebel prisoners passed in the morn- 
ing. The men of the Battery had boiled fresh beef, for 
a change. At supper time by request of the cook, Corporal 
Jonas Shackley called Tucker (bugler) to sound the call 
and the men repeated it along the line. As a punishment 
the Captain stopped the coffee for half an hour. As soon 
as the issue was resumed the calls for Tucker were heard, 
and the Captain stopped the coffee entirely and ordered that 
the non-commissioned officers go without coft"ee for 24 
hours. Perhaps they did. Corporal Shackley did not ask 
any one for coffee, but it was in his tent at meal time. 

LETTER FROM LIEUT. P. W. BLAKE. 

Fairfax Court House, Va., 

June 24, 1863. 

''We are now 15 miles from Washington, but the d — 1 
knows where the rebels are. We had a rather hard march 
up here, 48 hours without rest. The way that most of the 
corps came was the old road that we came to Bull Run 
last August. There was only one spring on the road; the 
men and horses suffered greatly for the want of water. 
There were 20 men in one corps who dropped down dead 
on the march. Most of our infantry are around the moun- 
tains somewhere. Wounded are being brought in every 
day from the mountains, ours and rebels. 

I suppose there are a good many who are joining General 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. CI 7 

Debility's army at present up north. I hope the rebels 
will come to New York and other places, and stir them 
up a little. My duty is rather laborious at present, one 
officer (Lieut. Scott) is on court martial, and another 
(Lieut. Spear) is on the Major of the Brigade's staff." 

VETERAN VOLUNTEERS. 

War Department, 
Adjutant General's Office. 
Washington, June 25, 1863. 
General Orders 
No. 191 

For Recruiting Veteran Volunteers. 
In order to increase the armies now in the field, volunteer infantry, 
cavalry, and artillery, may be enlisted, at any time v^rithin ninety days 
from this date, in the respective states, under the regulations hereinafter 
mentioned. The volunteers so enlisted, and such of the three years' 
troops now in the field, as may re-enlist in accordance with the provi- 
sions of this order, will constitute a force to be designated "Veteran 
Volunteers." 



By order of the Secretary of War, 



E. D. Townsend, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 



June 25, 1863. Reveille and roll call just at sunrise. 
"Boots and Saddles" at 8 a. m. Broke camp and packed 
up, and left Fairfax Court House with the Artillery Reserve 
at about 9 a. m. Marched all day and evening. The 
Brigades marched in the following order : Ransom. Hunting- 
ton, McGilvery, DuPeyster, Taft, — 

DuPeyster switched off for Washington. The Ninth 
Mass. Battery joined our Brigade. We started towards 
\\'ashington, but changed the direction of our route, and 
marched towards Edwards Ferry on the Potomac River. 
Passed Leesburg station at 4 p. m. Roads good, especially 
the Leesburg turnpike, a macadamized road. We had 
much halting until the last two hours of our march, when 



618 HISTORY OF THE 

we moved very fast, a good part of the time "double-quick." 
Upset one caisson about 5 p. m., and broke the stock, but 
not so badly as to detain us. We righted the caisson and 
proceeded. At 6 o'clock it commenced raining and rained 
all night. About half past 6 we passed through Dranesville. 
Halted for the night a mile from the river about 11 p. m., 
but did not unhitch. The men made coffee and lay down 
on the wet ground by the fire without shelter except a rubber 
blanket. They passed the long, dreary, wet night in misery, 
being wet to the skin and not a wink of sleep. 

June 26th. Friday. Morning rainy, and the sky very 
cloudy. Horses still standing in harness. Left park about 
^ past 7 a. m., and marched about a mile to the bridge 
across the Potomac at Edwards Ferry. There were two 
pontoon bridges across the river. Our Battery crossed 
the bridge on the right. There were 65 boats under the 
bridge. Length 1400 feet. We crossed at half past 8 a. m., 
and went into Maryland. Camped about half a mile from 
the bridge and stopped here all day and all night on the 
plantation of a man of the name of Fisher. We had 
marched about 28 miles. Heavy masses of troops and 
wagon trains on the move all day. The Fifth Corps passed 
in the afternoon. Signs of a long rain at dusk. Every- 
thing was water-soaked. The men made tents of their tar- 
paulins and had plenty of wheat straw. 

June 27th, 1863. Anniversary of the battle of Gaines 
Mills. Cloudy morning. We packed up and marched 
about 8 o'clock a. m. Marched through Poolesville, Union- 
town, Barnesville, and Monocacy Junction, crossing Mono- 
cacy River twice. Marched round Sugar Loaf Mountain, 
Md. The road was quite rough, and we capsized one of 
our wagons, but did no seripus damage. After getting off 
the mountain the road was quite smooth, and we travelled 
quite rapidly. No infantry marched on the road we came. 
We marched about 2'j miles, a considerable part of it being 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. G19 

"double-quick." We reached Frederick, Md. about lo p. m., 
passed through it where we went into park about a mile 
north of the city, on the Gettysburg road. There were only 
three cannoneers present to stretch the picket rope, and 
some did not come up until the next day. The men went 
to bed supperless, too much fatigued to make coffee, but 
they had a good night's rest. The people of Frederick 
were very hospitable to us. 

June 28th, Sunday, we were routed out about the usual 
hour, and remained in camp all day. Turned in some con- 
demned horses. Many of the men were allowed "passes" 
to the city. The Captain went into Frederick in the after- 
noon and evening. The city was full of soldiers and they 
heard a rumor that General Meade had relieved General 
Hooker. Captain Phillips saw General Hooker in the town; 
also General (Alfred) Pleasanton who was at the City Hall. 
The Third and Eleventh Corps went through in the after- 
noon. 

EXIT HOOKER. 

His Farewell to the Army of the Potomac. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac. 

June 28, 1863. 
General Orders 

No. 66. 

In conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated June 
2y, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army of the Potomac. It is 
transferred to Major General George G. Meade, a brave and accom- 
plished officer, who has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of this 
Army on many a well-fought field. 

Impressed with the belief that my usefulness as the commander 
of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from it : yet not without 
the deepest emotion. The sorrow of parting with the comrades of so 
many battles, is relieved by the conviction that the courage and devotion 
of this Army will never cease, nor fail. — that it will yield to my suc- 
cessor as it has to me, a willing and hearty support. With the earnest 



620 HISTORY OF THE 

prayer that the triumphs of its arms may bring successes worthy of it 
and the nation, I bid it farewell. 

Joseph Hooker, 
Major General. 

ENTER MEADE. 

Head Quarters 
Army of the Potomac, 
June 28, 1863. 
General Orders 
No. 67. 

By direction of the President of the United States, I hereby assume 
command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this 
order — an order totally unexpected and unsolicited — I have no promises 
or pledges to make. 

The country looks to this Army to relieve it from the devastation 
and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacrifices 
we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly the 
magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do 
his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence the decision of the 
contest. 

It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this Army, 
an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear 
conspicuous in the history of its achievements ; but I rely upon the 
hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge 
of the duties of the important trust which has been confided to me. 

George G. Meade, 
Major General Commanding. 



AS REWARD : A MEDAL OF HONOR. 

War Department, 

Adjutant General's Opfice, 
Washington, June 29th, 1863. 
General Orders 
No. 195 

The Adjutant General will provide an appropriate Medal of Honor 
for the troops who, after the expiration of their term, have oflfered their 
services to the Government in the present emergency; and also, for the 
Volunteer troops from other states that have volunteored their tem- 
porary service in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland. 
By Order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. TOWNSEND 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 621 

June 29, 1863. Reveille at half past 3 a. m., packed up, 
hitched up, took rations of bread and raw pork, and after 
waiting three hours in a pouring rain, got on the road 
about 6 a. m. Marched through Frederick City. Had a 
halt for about an hour, half a mile from the place we 
left. Very rainy. Passed through the village of Walker^- 
ville, Md. about 10 a. m. Marched about three miles and 
halted for about two hours, to allow wagon trains and 
troops to pass us. Passed through Ladysburg and reached 
Woodsborough about half past 4 p. m. Marched very 
steadily until about 9 p. m. when we halted for the night. 
Roads very hard and good. Marched apparently about 25 
miles through the pleasantest part of the country. The 
men reached camp very much fatigued and footsore, and 
had a good night's rest. We had been marching in the 
direction of the Pennsylvania line about ten miles distant. 
The camp was now about two miles from Taneytown. 

June 30, 1863. Cloudy and rainy. Reveille as usual. 
Hitched up and left park about \ past 10 a. m., and we 
were until :} past 4 p. m., going about three miles, the roads 
were so full of troops. About 15 rebels passed us in the 
afternoon. Passed through Taneytown, Md. and went into 
park about a mile from the town, and about 5 miles from the 
Pennsylvania line, where we remained until the morning 
of July 2d, when we marched to Gettysburg. The camp 
was a very pleasant one, quite near a mill stream, and 
"all hands" had a good bath. Here we had plenty of 
hay for the animals. Lee's forces said to be at York and 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

DUTY AND THE DEATH PENALTY. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
June 30, 1863. 

Circular: 

The commanding general requests that previous to the engagement 
soon expected with the enemy, corps and all other commanding officers 



622 HISTORY OF THE 

will address their troops, explaining to them briefly the immense issues 
involved in this struggle. The enemy are on our soil. The whole coun- 
try now looks anxiously to this Army to deliver it from the presence 
of the foe. Our failure to do so will leave us no such welcome as the 
swelling of millions of hearts with pride and joy at our success would 
give to every soldier in the Army. Homes, firesides, and domestic 
altars are involved. The Army has fought well heretofore. It is be- 
lieved that it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever, if it is 
addressed in fitting terms. 

Corps and other commanders are authorized to order the instant 
death of any soldier who fails in his duty at this hour. 

By command of Major General Meade. 

S. Williams 
Ass't Adjt. General. 



July I, 1863. First anniversary of the Battle of 
Malvern Hill. In camp, but liable to move at any moment. 
Rumors of fight at Gettysburg, the death of General John 
F. Reynolds of the First Corps, and the capture of a 
Brigade of rebels. Extra wagons sent to the rear. Our 
forces formed line and held the enemy. Fight heavy. A 
ration of fresh meat — raw — and 3 days' rations of coffee 
served out in the morning. Two Brigades of the Reserve 
marched at 7 p. m. 

Thursday, July 2, 1863, the Battery crossed the celebrated 
"Mason and Dixons line," and entered the state of Mary- 
land. (This dividing line was partially re-surveyed in 
1765, by two learned mathematicians and surveyors, Charles 
Mason and James Dixon, of London, employed by the pro- 
prietors of the two colonies of Penn and Calvert, and after- 
wards completed by other engineers. A stone was set up 
at the end of each mile, and every fifth stone, which was 
larger than the others, had on the north side the arms of 
Thomas and Richard Penn, and on the south side the arms 
of Frederick, Lord Baltimore. The preliminary work of 
restoring the historic landmarks of Mason's and Dixon's 
line, for many years the dividing line between the free 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 623 

states and the slave states of the Union, in order to establish 
some portions now in doubt, was begun by a commission 
appointed by the state governments of Pennsylvania and 
Maryland and the U. S. Geological Survey, in September, 
1900. The original stones which remained in a good state 
of preservation have been reset in solid cement bases, and 
iron posts are put up in places where the old markers have 
disappeared.) 

July 2, 1863. First call at half past 2 a. m. We packed 
up and left camp about 4 a. m. Marched to the edge of 
Taneytown but countermarched, and took the road towards 
Gettysburg. Saw some prisoners and wounded men com- 
ing to the rear. Travelled very fast most of the time. 
Heard cannonading in the direction of Gettysburg about 10 
a. m., and musketry skirmishing about half an hour later. 
Marched about 12 miles before halting. Weather damp 
and cloudy. Halted in a field, with close intervals, and 
cleared the guns for action. 

THE FIGHT OF JULY 20. 

Two letters of Captain Phillips, one written soon after 
the battle, and the other after an interval of more than four 
months, give in detail his views of the situation, with ac- 
companying plans, drawn from the indelible impressions 
made upon his mind while the contest raged the fiercest 
around him at his post, one of the most conspicuous posi- 
tions on the field. 

The first bears the date : "Camp near Littlestown. Penn. 
July 6, 1863." 

"The long barns which abound in this country had all 
been converted into hospitals, and everything portended a 
fight. Some little shelling was going on, and we could see 
our troops in line on the hills in front. About 3 o'clock 
the fighting commenced, and Hart's and Bigelow's Ninth 



624 HISTORY OF THE 

Mass. were sent to the front. I was ordered up at 4, and 
found the shelling pretty lively. I took position between 
Hart and Bigelow, and threw a few shells at a rebel battery, 
which was about silenced. The following diagram will 
explain our position. (See Plan of Operations.) 

The woods on our left were occupied by our infantry, and 
skirmishers were deployed in the ravine in front of us. 
The line of battle extended some distance, and our infantry 
was placed on our flanks; there was none immediately in 
front or rear of Hart, Bigelow, or myself. Thompson was 
on a knoll higher than my position, which concealed the 
rebel line in that direction from my sight. 

About five o'clock the rebels charged across the fields 
into the woods on our left and drove back our line on our 
right. We poured a very uncomfortable enfilading fire into 
them as long as they were in sight in the fields on our left, 
and could have driven them back if the infantry and artillery 
on our right had held their ground. But Thompson was 
driven back, losing one gun, Ames retired, and Hart left the 
field, and our whole line of infantry fell back. 

We had been for an hour very much annoyed by the en- 
filading fire of some batteries on our right, which were 
pouring in shell in a very uncomfortable way. We could 
have silenced them if we could have seen them. 

At the same time that our right fell back, the rebels had 
got so far into the woods on our left that their musketry 
became very annoying. Finding that the place was getting 
too hot. Major McGilvery ordered us to retire, which we 
executed very successfully. The horses on my left piece 
were knocked over, and we started the piece off by hand. 
Lieut. Scott was pushing the piece off when a bullet struck 
him in the face passing through both cheeks, and breaking 
the roof of his mouth. Fortunately it missed his eyes and 
teeth, and he will easily recover. We fell back across the 
fields, and took up a new position about 1000 yards to the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 625 

rear. The rest of the Brigade had gone still farther to the 
rear, taking with them my caissons and three of my pieces 
which had got beyond my control while I was looking after 
the rear of the column. Lieut. Scott's wound also created 
a little confusion. However, I got three pieces in position, 
and blazed away at the rebels. Lieut. Dow's 6th Maine 
Battery was on my left, and did good service. The rebels 
brought their batteries on the hill we first occupied, and 
commenced a pretty vigorous shelling, but I fancy they 
found that two could play at that game. I blazed away 
till dark, and used up all my ammunition, when I was re- 
lieved and retired to get the Battery together. (The guns 
had been carried about a mile to the rear.) I finally got 
them together by daylight. 

I suffered pretty severely in this day's fight: 3 men were 
left dead on the field, and one died the next morning in the 
hospital. Some 30 horses were killed, but all that the rebels 
made out of me was one limber and harness, and these we 
got off two days after. Bigelow suffered still worse. Four 
of his onms were left on the field, but were all saved event- 
ually. Lieut. Erickson was killed. Captain Bigelow and 
Lieut. Whitaker wounded. This battery did splendidly, 
particularly considering it was their first fight. They were 
exposed to a very hot fire of musketry and could not have 
saved their guns." 

The remainder of this letter refers to the fight of July 3d, 
and his letter dated Camp near Kelly's Ford, Nov. 21, 1863, 
contains the following regarding the second day's fight 
which was also on the 2d of July :— The letter was addressed 
to his brother George. 

"I received your letter and plans of Gettysburg the other 
day and have indicated our position as accurately as pos- 
sible on the enclosed plans. (These plans have been con- 
sulted in the present work.) 

As I went into position on Thursday under a hot fire, 



026 HISTORY OF THE 

and came out under a hotter one, I did not get a very clear 
idea of localities. 

On the morning of July 2d we left Taneytown, and came 
into park on the right of the road. We stayed here till 3 
p. m. when McGilvery's Brigade went up, one after an- 
other, to take position with the Third Corps which had been 
advanced in front of the rest of the line. As we came up 
we were formed in position on the road running from the 
Taneytown to the Emmittsburg road. The left of the Bri- 
gade rested on the woods held by the Fifth Corps, and the 
right stood in the peach orchard. We were arranged in the 
following order, commencing from the left: — 
Ninth Mass. Captain (John) Bigelow. 
Fifth Mass. Captain Phillips. 

A New Jersey Battery belonging to the Third Corps. 
(Battery B, 26. New Jersey Artillery.) 

15th N. Y. Battery, Captain (Patrick) Hart. 
Battery C, Penn. Art'y, Captain (James) Thompson. 
My left piece stood in the road. Hart was a little in ad- 
vance, but soon fell back. 

Four of Thompson's Guns faced the same way as the 
Brigade, the other two faced to the right where a rebel bat- 
tery was enfilading our line in a very uncomfortable man- 
ner. Some rebel batteries in front of us on the wooded hills 
were firing pretty lively, but soon after we got into position 
we silenced them, and the only artillery fire that did us any 
serious damage was the enfilading battery on our right. As 
the peach orchard was on higher ground than where I was, 
I could not see any of the rebels in this direction, nor the 
Third Corps. About 5 o'clock the rebels started a heavy 
column across the field in front of us towards the woods 
held by the Fifth Corps. We blazed away at them all the 
time, but most of them contrived to get into the woods. A 
second column followed right after with similar luck though 
they suffered worse than the first. Some of them tried to 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 627 

get behind the house and barn in our front, and after the 
fight 1 20 dead South Carohnians were found in the en- 
closures round them. All this time it was pretty noisy on 
our right, and happening to look that way, I saw our infan- 
try coming back through the peach orchard. Hart and the 
New Jersey Battery (Battery B, 2d N. J. Artillery) left at 
this juncture, and Thompson got out of the way losing one 
gun. I ordered Lieut. Lull with the Right section to retire 
200 yards and come into position again. At this moment 
Major McGilvery ordered us all to retire, and we fell back. 
My horses were rather mixed up, dead ones being rather 
more plenty than live ones, but we managed to limber up and 
get off. The Right Section, being all ready, got off first, 
the Centre Section followed, and then the Left. Unfortu- 
nately, as we were going to limber up the left piece the 
horses were all shot, but we managed to haul it off by hand. 
By this time the rebels were between us and the peach 
orchard blazing away with great carelessness, and one of 
them hit Lieut. Scott as he was dragging off this piece. 
However, we managed to drag it down into the hollow by 
Trossel's house, and the sergeant brought back a limber, and 
we went off. 

During this retreat a circumstance occurred which an- 
noyed me very much. WHiile I was in the rear the head of 
the Battery got mixed up with some other batteries by Tros- 
sel's house, and Captain Hart, as he informed me after- 
wards, not seeing any officer, took charge of three of my 
guns, and carried them off a mile to the rear. So when I 
caught up I found only three guns. McGilvery had got 
the 6th Maine in position behind Trossel's house, and I came 
into battery on his right. The Ninth Battery was not so 
lucky in getting off. They ran into a stone wall and lost 
four of their guns, the rebels getting up very close on to 
them. When we got to our second position, the rebels were 
in the peach orchard Blazing away at us, but it was pretty 



628 HISTORY OF THE 

dark and we did not suffer much. We stayed here till dark, 
when the rebels were pretty well checked, and then, as I was 
out of ammunition, I retired across the Taneytown road, 
and unhitched for the night. By midnight I got the whole 
battery tog'ether and went to sleep.'' 

This letter is continued in the history of the Battery on 
July 3d. In his Notes of that date he says: — "We 
whipped them handsomely yesterday (the 2d). I saved all 
my guns, though I had to haul one f of a mile. The Ninth 
Mass. Battery close by us did splendidly. The artillery suf- 
fered very much." 

THE PROLONGE. 

With relation to the use of the prolonge Captain Phillips 
thus wrote in a letter dated Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., 
Thursday Evening, October 16, 1862: — 

"The long rope coiled on the trail of the gun is called the 
'prolonge.' It is used when you want to retreat and to fire 
while you are retreating. To do this the order is given 'Fix 
prolonge to fire retiring!' Then, in the lucid language of 
the book, 'the limber inclines to the right, wheels to the left 
about, and halts 4 yards from the trail. No. 5 uncoils the 
prolonge and passes the toggle to the gunner, who fixes it 
in the trail by passing it upwards through the lunette, whilst 
he attaches the other end to the limber by passing the ring 
over the pintle and keying it. At the command 'Retire!' 
the cannoneers face about, all march on the left of the piece 
except Nos. i and 3. They keep their implements in their 
hands &c. &c.' That is to say, they go on loading and fir- 
ing, but the horses all the time dragging the gun away from 
the enemy. The prolonge is also very useful in many other 
ways." 

In the rear of the axle-tree of the limber is a pintle-hook 
to receive a stronsf rine on the end of the trail called the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY 



629 



"lunette." It has a key. A "toggle" is fastened to one 
end of the prolonge by three rings and a thimble which is 
worked into the rope; another thimble holds a hook at the 
other end of the rope. 

SCOTT ON THE FIGHT OF JULY 2d. 

Notes of 1863. 

"Camp of the Artillery Reserve July 2, 1863. Morn 
cloudy. Orders to march at 4 a. m. Hitched up and 
moved on towards Gettysburg. One limber of Taft's (5th N. 
Y. Battery Captain Elijah D. Taft) Battery blown up on 
the road, one man killed 10 a. m. Arrived at the front 12 
m. All the Artillery Reserve hitched up and bunched in the 
rear of the line of battle near the Baltimore turnpike. Near 
us was tlie Ninth Mass. Battery, Captain John Bigelow. 
Nothing could be seen from where we were of the line of 
battle. All was quiet. Hitched up at 4 p. m. Fighting 
commenced at 5 p. m., when the ball opened in earnest. Or- 
dered to the front. I was talking with First Lieut. Chris- 
topher Erickson of the Ninth Mass. about the probable re- 
sult of the coming contest, when the batteries, one by one, 
began to start out in a hurry. A staff officer rode up to 
Captain Phillips to direct the Battery to the front. The 
order to strip for action came quickly. All incumbrances 
were thrown aside, and we started out on a trot across the 
field, passing by the foot of Little Round Top, over stone 
walls and other obstructions. We could see, as we ad- 
vanced, the terrible fight that was going on. The air was 
already full of sulphurous smoke. The Battery in full jump 
had hard work to keep Captain Phillips, who was with the 
stafif officer, in sight. An officer rode up to me and said : 
'The Battery is wanted at once on the Round Top.' I 
said, 'There is my captain ahead. I know no other.' 

Passing the Trostle house we swung into a rocky lane 



630 HISTORY OF THE 

leading to the Emmittsburg pike. Gunners on the Hmber. 
One man was thrown and his arm was broken by one of the 
limber wheels, and he was out of the fight. Passing half 
way up the lane spoken of, we swung square to the left into 
an open clear field, which we crossed at a rapid rate. Over- 
taking Phillips at the edge of a lane running at right angles 
from the Emmittsburg pike past Little Round Top, the Bat- 
tery was thrown quickly into line by a right oblique move- 
ment, thus bringing the Right section on the left. 

Six batteries were in this line, Bigelow's Ninth Mass. 
close to our left. Though no enemy could be seen in our 
immediate front, the smoke of the enemy's guns could be 
seen over a rolling, open country in a line of woods, some 
1500 yards, more or less, distant. 

The order 'Commence firing' was given, and with our 
rifled guns shot and shell were thrown, with what effect we 
could hardly tell. 

At last a Battalion of Artillery came out of the woods on 
a gallop. Down the slope they fled, and on a ridge, half the 
distance before mentioned, went into action. We had them 
in full view, and w^e opened on them fiercely, but we had 
them in range but a short time, when their infantry came 
down obliquely on the Third Corps stationed on the Em- 
mittsburg pike and peach orchard. The Right section 
oblic[ued its guns and opened on this line leaving its fire on 
their artillery. 

Up to this time we had met with no material loss in the 
Battery that I was aware of. 

The charge of the rebel line was a magnificent sight, too 
much for the Third Corps. It had to retire, and commenced 
to fall back in our rear to Cemetery Hill. The batteries on 
our right were falling back. The Centre and Left section 
on the right were leaving. The Right section had orders 
to fix prolonge and fire retiring. The horses were faced to 
the rear. The prolonges were strung out. Now came the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 031 

time that tried the men of the section. The order was given 
to 'Limber up' the guns, as the enemy were almost upon us. 
The horses of the right piece were killed with the drivers. 
The prolonge was taken hold of by Captain Phillips and the 
gunners, and pulled off the field. The left piece of the sec- 
tion was limbered up after a struggle, in which I dismounted 
from my horse and through the confusion and excitement, 
with the assistance of one cannoneer at the trail threw the 
lunette on to the pintle hook and gave the order 'Drive on !' 
At that moment the driver, Henry Soule of New Bedford 
on the lead, dropped from his horse, J. Sanford pole driver's 
arm was broken, and as the muzzle of the gun passed me a 
shot went through my face and I was out of the fight. 1 
threw my hand up, thinking my face was gone. The blood 
flew and I was gone. 

Coming to a realizing sense that I was alive, I rose up 
and saw the rebel line near me, colors flying. I did not 
like the idea of being a prisoner in their hands and started 
for the rear. The field where the Battery had stood was 
clear. I did not notice limber or dead men and horses of 
the Battery, in fact did not think I should get far alone, but 
Sergt. O. B. Smith of the Battery came to my assistance 
with his horse, and mounting me upon him led me oft" the 
field. 

The utmost confusion prevailed near the Trostle house 
and barn. The Ninth Mass. Battery had been severely 
handled. Four of the guns were held by the enemy for a 
short time, but the guns of the Fifth Battery covered them 
at its new position 700 yards in rear of the first position. 
Captain Bigelow told me afterwards that Captain Phillips 
with his guns covered them so completely that the enemy 
could not take them off and they were afterwards recovered. 
Corporal Graham hauled the limber of the First detach- 
ment from under the fire of the enemy's pickets with a little 
help (luring the night after the battle. Seven men of the 



Gf)2 HISTORY OF THE 

Battery were killed or died from wounds on the field. 
Twelve were wounded, and the' loss of horses was about 
fifty. Had not the order to fix prolonge been given I am 
of the opinion that the Right section would have left the 
field without loss. No time was given for drill movements 
and such time was lost that we came near annihilation. 
Colonel McGilvery gave Phillips great credit (see McGil- 
very's Rq)ort p. 667) for the part he took in the Reserve 
Artillery on this occasion. The Artillery Reserve lost 
heavily in this fight. I have often talked with General 
Henry J. Hunt chief of artillery on the part the artillery 
took. He thought they did not get half the credit belong- 
ing to them. Certainly the men of the Fifth Battery did 
their duty bravely and well, without any distinction of office 
or place. 

I was carried to the rear from the Trostle house to near 
Rock Creek and the Baltimore turnpike by two men of the 
Battery, one of them I recollect was Charles Stiles. I rested 
on the bank of the Creek during the night alone, as best I 
could. No room near the hospital. The next day, the 3d 
July, 1863, I could move about. The heat of the day was 
oppressive. I could hear the cannonading of the artillery, 
and wished I could have been with the Battery. I was 
threatened with lockjaw and suffered severely. I fell into 
the hands of a field surgeon whose name I never knew. He 
dressed my wound after an examination and said: — 

'You may thank your stars and your God today, for the 
slightest variation of the shot, you would never have known 
what hurt you.' 

It would have been suicide to have continued with the 
battery further, and I remained with the hospital depart- 
ment until I could get transportation home. The hospitals 
were crowded with the wounded. Every available house, 
barn, or church was crowded. First Lieut. Erickson of the 
9th Mass. Battery whom I conversed with before going into 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 633 

the fight of the 2d, and was but a short distance from me, 
was shot through the head and instantly killed. First Lieut. 
Alexander H. Whitaker shot in the knee, was in the hos- 
pital, but died before reaching home. Provisions were 
short. I had $5 with me with which to help those who 
were worse wounded than I was myself. I gave up 3. 
During the day I met General Griffin of the Fifth Corps, 
who formerly commanded Battery D, 5th Regulars, of Bull 
Run fame. He had been sick and had just arrived from 
Baltimore. Knowing me, he inquired after the Fifth Bat- 
tery. I told him what I knew. He was much pleased and 
said in complimenting Captain Phillips, that he considered 
him one of the best artillery officers in the Volunteer ser- 
vice, and he would not except the Regular. 

The Fourth of July, 1863, was a rainy day, but General 
Lee was on the retreat. On the 5th the army was on the 
move, and at 12 noon the Fifth Battery moved out of Get- 
tysburg with the Artillery Reserve, and to me it was like 
parting with my best friend as the Battery passed out of 
sight." 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN SCOTT. 
January 30, 1901. 
"I had nothing to do with the Right piece of the section. 
Captain Phillips speaks of the Left piece. The Right sec- 
tion of the Battery was on the left, and as being in com- 
mand of that section I have spoken of the Left piece of the 
section as the Right piece. Phillips was right, however. 
Phillips gave the order to fire retiring. I repeated it. Be- 
fore the order could be executed, Phillips gave the order, 
'Limber up !' which T repeated. The horses facing the rear, 
with the prolonge stretched, had to be reversed. Here I 
think if the section had gone to the rear they might have got 
clear. The horses of the Left piece were shot but with the 
Right piece the limber came about. Mounted on my horse 



G34 HISTORY OF THE 

I saw Phillips, with the end of the prolonge over his shoul- 
der, leading his horse, pulling off the field. Cannoneers 
pulling and pushing the Gun. I saw but one cannoneer near 
my Gun. I jumped from my horse and he at once left the 
field. With one man I limbered the Gun. You can imasf- 
ine I had no easy task, — the horses and drivers uneasy, and 
it was a mere chance that we did not have to leave the Gun.'' 

In regard to the charge of the rebel artillery from the 
woods (see p. 630) he adds the following: — 

"I saw the charge and the battery in our front, but I 
directed the fire of the section to their infantry. I do not 
think we silenced their batteries entirely that day." 

FROM LIEUT. SCOTT'S DIARY. 

"July 6, 1863. Morn cloudy. In hospital. Wagon 
trains moving. Sick being cared for. Our forces in pur- 
suit of the enemy. Afternoon cloudy. Very quiet. The 
enemy said to be very much discomfited. Gettysburg full 
of wounded. A great many rebels left behind and prison- 
ers taken. 

July 7, 1863. Took the cars for Baltimore and at 11 
p. m. went to the hospital in a bad condition. 

July 8, 1863. In the hospital at Baltimore. Got a pass 
and took the cars at 8 p. m. for New York. Very feeble. 

July 9, 1863. Arrived at New York at 5 a. m. Went 
on board of steamboat for Newport, which left at 5 p. m. 
Very sick this night. 

July 10, 1863. Arrived at Newport R. I. at 4 a. m. 
Went to my home and called a doctor (Butler) who at- 
tended me." (The entries in the diary are from July nth 
to July 25th. "Sick this day.") 

"July 25, 1863. The wounds healing some." 



Lieut. Scott's leave of absence lasted until September 
25, 1863. On the 24th he arrived at Washington at | past 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



635 



6. Got a "pass" and went to Alexandria. At 3 p. m. took 
cars for the Front. Arrived at Cnlpeper at 9 p. m. Stopped 
at Almy's, ist Division, ist Brigade, 2 miles south of Cul- 
peper. Batteries in line of battle. 

"Friday, Sept. 25th, 1863. Morn pleasant. Went to the 
Battery and reported to Captain Phillips. Troops about to 
move,"^ 



FROM CAPT. PHILLIPS— THE GUIDON. 

To a little nephew, written at the camp near Warrenton 
July 31, 1863: — "In the fight of the 2d they had a battery 
right in front of us shelling pretty lively when I went into 
position, and when we came up they had got the range 
pretty well. I placed my guidon, which is almost as large 
as a regimental flag, on the right of the Battery, and the 
rebels must have aimed at it, for their first shot killed the 
two wheel horses on the Right piece and broke the car- 
riage pole all to pieces. All the time we were there we had 
to work pretty hard changing harnesses as fast as the horses 
were killed. The way we do it is this, — I send to the rear 
and have spare horses brought up, and then as soon as a 
horse is killed, the driver sets to w^ork, takes ofif his harness 
and puts it on a new horse. This takes some time, as an 
artillery harness is very heavy, and they generally have to 
take it all to pieces to get it off a dead horse, and when the 
enemy's infantry get within musket range, they can kill 
horses faster than we can change them. That is the reason 
we had to leave one limber on the field. 

When we were ordered to fall back the enemy were within 
pistol shot on both flanks. We limbered up all the pieces 
but the Left one. One wheel-horse on this had been shot a 
few minutes before, and we had just got the harness on a 
new horse, when, before we could hitch him in, down went 
the other wheel-horse and the leaders, and we found we 



036 HISTORY OF THE 

must pull it off ourselves or leave it, so we hitched on the 
prolonge, and the cannoneers pulled the gun off lively. 
Lieut. Scott was pushing away on the carriage when he was 
struck. The shot came from our right, and I think must 
have been a bullet from a smooth bore musket. The enemv 
in that direction were firing buck and ball cartridges. 

One of my sergeants came pretty near being hit. One 
bullet went in close by his coat buttons, and came out in the 
middle of his back, having made the circuit in his coat lin- 
ing. Another bullet struck the top of his gun while he was 
aiming it, and glanced through the top of his cap. One 
wheel on my Left piece had seven spokes hit by shell, and a 
piece of shell sticking in the hub. On the whole, the old 
iron flew round pretty lively. What bothered us most was 
a battery on our right which we could not see, and which 
was throwing case shot at us very carelessly, and every min- 
ute a shower of bullets would come in, whoosh, — just like 
a heavy shower of hailstones. . . . They seemed to have a 
wholesome dread of getting in front of our guns, but made 
for the woods on our flanks, and having driven our infantry 
out of these, we concluded to retire, and so fell back a little 
way in good order. If some of the batteries in our Brigade 
had not got frightened, we should have given the Rebs a 
hotter fight than we did, but as soon as the order was given 
to fall back, Hart and Thompson fell back at least two miles 
... I felt pretty mad when I found out that they had car- 
ried off some of my guns and caissons with them, so that I 
had only about 70 rounds of ammunition left. Major McGil- 
very was rushing around, and trying to form a new line, 
and so I came into battery again. I lost several men in this 
second position, and they got up a story that I was killed, 
because a staff officer was killed about 10 feet from me. 
We stayed till dark, using up all our ammunition, and then 
I went back and brought up Seeley's (Capt. Frank Seeley, 
Battery K, 4th U. S. commanded by Lieut. Robert James) 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 037 

Regular battery to relieve me. I was up all night hunting 
up my carriages, and did not find some of them till the 
next morning." 

SHACKLEY ON THE FIGHT OF JULY 2d. 

Corporal Jonas Shackley, one of those who "brought 
off the last gun" in a letter dated Dec. ii, 1900, thus ex- 
plains the composition of the Battery: — "The Battery was 
composed of six guns, numbered from one to six. No. i 
was the right piece, and was in charge of Sergeant Wm. B, 
Pattison. No. 2 was in charge of Sergt. W. H. Peacock. 
The 1st and 2d detachments formed the Right section un- 
der First Lieut. Henry D. Scott. Each full detachment, or 
gun-team, comprised a corporal who aimed the gun, seven 
cannoneers, and a corporal who had charge of the caisson. 

Corporal Benjamin Graham was Gunner and Corporal 
Jonas Shackley was chief of caisson in ist detachment, 
Right section." 

NOTES OF SHACKLEY, 1863. 

"July 2, 1863, arrived at Gettysburg about 10 a. m. 
Went into line in close order near the Taneytown road, 
until about 4 p. m. Ordered into line of battle, mounted the 
cannoneers and went on the gallop. The ground being 
rough Corporal Eagan was thrown and his arm broken in 
two places: which ended his services in the army. John 
^Vloudorf was also thrown but not seriously hurt, though 
he did not go to the front that day. 

The Battery went 'On the Left into line,' which placed 
the 1st detachment on the Left of the Battery, next to the 
Right section of the 9th Mass. Battery, which joined the 
Right of the Fifth Corps on Little Round Top. The Third 
Corps was on our right in the Peach Orchard. The two 
batteries filled the gap between the two Corps, with no 
infantry support. 

Long-street's Division advanced obliquely across our 



*fc>' 



638 HISTORY OF THE 

front toward our Left, at a distance of from five hundred 
to three hundred yards, and the writer (Jonas Shackley) 
could see the rebels fall and the gaps closed at each dis- 
charge; our guns loaded with canister. 

The right wheel horse of the ist piece was soon shot, 
and the harness was taken from him, and put on Bugler 
James Winter's horse, but meantime he was wounded twice 
and left loose with the harness on, and came into camp in 
the night bringing the harness on him. 

The 9th being driven from their position, and we out- 
flanked on our left, our ammunition nearly exhausted, Cap- 
tain Phillips gave the order to fix prolonge and fire retiring. 
The limber was reversed with the five horses. Almost in- 
stantly all but the right swing horse went down. The pro- 
longe was toggled to the trail, but not hitched to the pintle- 
hook. Captain Phillips gave orders to break the sponge 
staves and leave the piece. Corporal Graham broke the 
staves. The Captain then ordered by hand to the rear, and 
taking the prolonge over his right shoulder, and assisted 
by Corporal Benjamin Graham, A. K. P. Hayden, and 
Corporal Jonas Shackley, brought the gun 500 or 600 yards 
to the rear, when we met Sergt. Wm. B. Pattison with the 
limber of the caisson, and, limbering up, proceeded to the 
next ridge of ground, and together with the 5th piece went 
into battery and fired at the enemy on our former position. 
The limber was left, with 7 horses. 

While coming to the rear, the advance of the Sixth 
Corps marched in between us and the enemy. Captain 
Phillips exclaimed 'Thank God, there's the Sixth Corps !' 

Soon after beginning our movement to the rear First 
Lieut. Henry D. Scott was shot through the face, but not 
fatally. 

Soon after sunset we went into park near Rock Creek, 
and collected what was left of the Battery. The ist piece 
fired 84 rounds on this day. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 639 

After getting into park Lieut. Peleg W. Blake, Sergt. 
Wm. B. Pattison, Corporal Benj. Graham, and Corp. Jonas 
Shackley, went back to the field to try to recover our lim- 
ber, but the rebel pickets were close to it, and the officers of 
our .pickets would not permit us to pass through. So we 
returned to the Battery." 

NOTES OF CORP. BENJAMIN GRAHAM. 

Corporal Benjamin Graham, when he was urged to con- 
tribute something from his store of recollections of the war 
to the history of the Battery, observed that it brought back 
to him the times when Captain Phillips would send for him 
and say : — 

"Here Graham, here is another letter from your mother, 
who is wanting to know if you are dead or alive. Now sit 
on that limber, and answer it !" 

ARMOR IN THE WRONG PLACE. 
Graham's Notes of Nov. 12, 1900. 
"Just before we went on the field in the fight of July 2d, 
we drew up in line just off the Taney town road to wait for 
orders to see where our position should be, and just then 
the rebels opened fire on us, and as good soldiers we all laid 
as close to the ground as possible. The right piece was on 
the Left, as it always was when there was any trouble ahead, 
and we were sheltered by some large rocks, when our lead 
driver of the piece was hit by a fragment of a shell and 
had to go to the rear. The steel vest that he wore did net 
protect him in the right place. 

BRINGING OFF THE LAST GUN. 

When the order came to retreat on the afternoon of the 

2d and Captain Phillips gave the order to Tix prolonge' 

and Tire retiring,' as Gunner it became my duty to attend 

to that. After I had fixed the prolonge, I gave the order 



640 HISTORY OF THE 

to 'Drive on,' and when they did not move stepped to one 
side of the hmber to see why, when I discovered that all 
six of the horses were down. Then I asked the Captain 
what I should do. Captain Phillips said 'Bring the Gun off 
if you can, if not, leave it.' I replied to the Captain that 
we would stay by the piece as long as the piece would stay 
by us. I then unhooked the prolonge from the pintle-hook. 
(The pintle-hook is in the rear of the axle-tree and ordina- 
rily receives the lunette, or strong ring of the trail.) By 
that time the Captain had dismounted. He seized the end 
of the prolonge with one hand, while he held his horse 
by the bridle with the other, and then, with the assistance 
of James Kay, William L. Purbeck, A. K. P. Hayden and 
myself, we started to the rear, and after going a few hun- 
dred yards, the Captain mounted his horse, and said he 
would send up assistance. We four then drove the piece 
down the lane near the Trostle house, where we met Cor- 
poral Shackley with the limber. We then limbered up and 
drove to about where the railroad is now, where I saw the 
Second Corps coming in. 

I ordered the piece to halt, and went in action for the 
second time, where we stood until after sundown. It was 
here where little Purbeck was wounded. 

The men manned the Gun in this manner : — Hayden No. 
I, Purbeck 2, 5, 7, Kay 3 & 4, Shackley 6, Graham, Gunner. 

'WHO WILL CARE FOR MOTHER NOW?' 

We had not been in action long, when a shell from one 
of the reb. batteries exploding on our right, struck one of 
General Hancock's aides-de-camp, and his horse; the horse 
falling on the officer. The officer was calling for help, and 
the horse was whinnying, as much as to say, 'Help me, 
too,' when little Purbeck, a good, smart boy, only 17, saw 
the man and horse down, and started to go over towards 
them, when he, too, got hit in the side with a piece of shell. 



I 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. G41 

He was taken to the rear and to the hospital, where he died 
that night, and as he was dying he uttered these words, — 
'Who will care for Mother now?' They suggested the 
song which became immensely popular. 

As I understand it, he was a widow's son and his 
mother's only support. The words were written by a ser- 
geant of the 22d Regiment, and the music by some man in 
Boston. There was not a braver boy in the army than 
Purbeck. 

BRINGING OFF THE LIMBER. 

After we had supper on the night of the 2d about 9.30 
p. m., Captain Phillips came to me, saying, — 'Graham, you 
take four men and the prolonge, and go and see if you can 
get that limber.' 

I picked out the ones to help me, Kay, Hayden, and one 
other whose name I have now forgotten. We got along all 
right until we came tO' the picket line, for the limber was 
200 yards outside of the line and wnthin 100 yards of the 
rebs line. The picket halted us, and we made our business 
known, and he sent for the Officer of the Day. When he 
came we told him what we wanted, and after a long talk 
he allowed us to proceed, and when within about 100 yards 
of the limber, I had the men to lie down, and then I crept 
on my hands and knees to where the limber was, the dead 
horses still hitched to it, and in trying to unhitch them the 
chains on the traces and on the pole yoke would rattle, and 
for every rattle of the chains I would get a volley from 
the rebs. 

I was some time in trying to get the horses loose, for one 
of them had fallen across the pole, and the limber and 
horses were struck several times while I was trying to get 
them loose. I had to lie down in between them, and when 
I had everything ready I gave a signal, and the others 
came up to help me, and it did not take us long then to take 



642 HISTORY OF THE 

the limber down to the Trostle house, where we found in 
waiting for us, Wihiam Pattison, with two horses, and 
after shaking hands with the pickets and bidding them good 
night, we returned to camp." 

ABOUT THE FIRST DETACHMENT. 

Louis E. Pattison became company clerk on the reorgan- 
ization of the Battery in 1862, and held that office and also 
worked on a gun until his discharge at the expiration of his 
term of service Oct. 8, 1864, as they were always short of 
men until the last campaign. He was succeeded as clerk 
by John S. Doane. He was in the 4th detachment in charge 
of Sergt. Baxter who succeeded Page. 

In a letter dated Nov. i, 1900, he says of the detachment 
in charge of his brother William B. Pattison. that being on 
the right it always seemed to have to bear the brunt of nearly 
all the actions. 

GRAHAM ON THE GUN. 

■'Our gun number was 8.85^ pounds, and we had that 
ofun from the time it came to us until I was wounded on 
the 1 2th of May, 1864. I asked some men of the loth 
N. Y. Battery, as they passed us as we were drawing the 
Gun from the field in the fight of July 2d, and as STiackley 
was coming in with the limber, for a sponge staff. I had 
brought in the sponge staff and worm as we started to draw 
the Gun off the field, so if we had to leave the piece, they 
could not turn it on us. But on getting back the limber I 
found that there was only one round of ammunition left in 
it, and that was a case of canister." 

THE WHEEL OF THE iST PIECE. 

Shackley notes in his Diary of July 30, 1863, record, that 
"We turned in the wheel of the ist piece, which was disabled 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 643 

at Gettysburg on July 2d, 1863, by having seven spokes 
knocked out or broken. It was an object of much interest 
to thousands of men on the march south." 

His attention having been recently called to this note of 
Shackley's Graham said : — 

"I remember the wheel well. It had seven fellies (por- 
tions of the circumference of the wheel) and fourteen 
spokes, and every felly and spoke was hit but one spoke. 
One of the spokes had a piece of shell fast in its centre, and 
the left side of the piece looked as if you had dipped your 
fingers in black lead, and then marked the side of the piece 
with them. There were hundreds of spots on the Gun to 
show where it had been hit. It makes me shiver even now 
to think that I was sighting the Gun while all that was 
going on, but I did not shiver then. The boys will all re- 
member how I kept singing. I could hear them say, 'Hear 
Ben!" — 'Hear Ben!" — I was not singing because I was 
brave. It was my duty to stay there, and I was like the 
little boy in the dark cellar, he had to whine to give him 
courage. It is too bad we lost sight of that wheel, for it 
ought to be in the State House with the flags." 

LIST PRESERA^ED BY CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 
In the back of his Diary for 1864, Captain Phillips pre- 
ser\-ed the following list : — 

"Men who brought off the right piece at Gettysburg:— 
Corp. Graham. 

Shackley. 
Private Barry. 

Kay. 

W. H. Wells loth N. Y. 

Hayden." 

NOTES OF FRANCIS P. WASHBURN. 
A Driver on Simonds' Gun. 
"W^e were in position near the Peach Orchard, and 
Pickett's men came on, only to be mown down by our fire 



644 HISTORY OF THE 

which was something terrific. The enemy advanced in 
echelon (a formation of troops, where battahons or 
brigades follow each other on separate lines like the steps 
of a ladder) presenting a soldierly front in each line. We 
had been given orders to reserve our fire, and were as rest- 
less as colts. Finally, word was given, and we began by 
pouring shrapnell into the ranks of our foe. As Pickett's 
troops neared our position, w^e loaded with single canister, 
and after changing front to bring our guns to bear more 
directly on the centre of the enemy, we loaded with double 
canister, which we sent down into their ranks, making great 
gaps, only to be filled in again by those fearless fellows. 
Just as Pickett's men were within 25 yards of us. Captain 
Phillips sang out 'Triple shot with canister boys !' 

We could see their begrimmed faces looking at us with 
intense hatred before that shot was fired which mowed 
dow-n those poor fellow's. The reality of war was never 
more vividly impressed on my mind than during that awful 
carnage, with the fearful result of that one shot of triple 
canister, and I believe it is the only time that we fired such 
a shot. Captain Phillips, raised his sabre, and with the cry 
'We've got 'em now,' gave the order for single shot. It 
was a fearful slaughter of the enemy. The slaughter of our 
horses was so great that we were nearly crippled, 59 being 
killed. In that battle we fired 700 rounds." 

FROM THE DIARY OF CORP. CHASE. 

"July 2, 1863. Reports that the nth Corps broke again 
yesterday, and that our troops were beaten. Battery halted 
about 10 a. m. in a field in rear of the line of battle, and 
about 1 1 miles from Gettysburg. Battery remained in the 
field until about 4 p. m. when we advanced, and took posi- 
tion in the line of battle on the right of the 9th Mass. Bat- 
tery, and commenced shelling the enemy witli slow firing. 
The enemy advanced batteries in front of us, and opened 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 645 

a very destructive fire upon us; they also advanced their line 
of infantry, who kept up a murderous fire on us. Fired all 
our canister at the enemy and fixed the prolonges, and some 
of the pieces fired retiring. Limbered up and fell back as 
many as three times, and retired about loo yards each time. 
Many of our men fell : some never to rise. Lieut. Scott 
seriously wounded in the jaws and face; a frightful looking 
wound, perhaps dangerous. Lieut. Scott left the field, — 
when the pieces did.^and went to the hospital. Edward 
Fotheringham, John W. Verity, — formerly of the loth 
N. Y. Battery, — killed. Henry Grafi^erman of the loth, 
slightly wounded. Of our men, John Hathaway, William 
L. Purbeck, Martin J. Coleman, H. W. Soule, W. E. 
Estee, John Sanford, Henry Fitzsinmions, John Agen, 
George Trumbull, and Bernard Doherty, all wounded. Was 
shot through the flesh of my left arm just above the elbow, 
while retiring with the Battery. The ball just touched the 
bone and benumbed my two little fingers; bone uninjured. 
Acted as No. 3 and 4 man from the time the Battery went 
into the engagement until we came out. My wound bled 
profusely, but did not become very painful until I left the 
field. Left the field about dusk, having been engaged about 
three hours in the hottest position we ever occupied. 
Brought off all our pieces and caissons, but lost horses. The 
pieces and caissons went into park in different parts of the 
field, having separated when they came out of the fight. 
Worked on Serg't Peacock's piece, 2d detachment, and on 
Serg't Morgridge's, 5th detachment. My person and clothes 
very tired, bloody, and dirty, and my wound very painful in 
the evening. Lost my bundle from the caisson, with every- 
thing except what was about my person. Found the cais- 
sons and had my arm bandaged. Weather through the 
day cloudy, muggy, and the heat oppressive. The hardest 
day's work I ever did up to date. Wm. E. Estee probably 
mortally wounded. Darkness quelled the dreadful storm, 



646 HISTORY OF THE 

and in the evening and through the night all was still, as 
though death was satisfied with the slaughter of the com- 
batants. Remained around a bivouac fire all night, chat- 
ting with two intehigent rebel prisoners from the 8th 
Georgia Regiment, Longstreet's Corps. Exchanged but- 
tons with one of them." 



This was the situation at nightfall of July 2, 1863, when, 
as in Campbell's "Soldier's Dream," 

"the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky ; 
And thousands had sunk on the ground overpowered, 
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die." 



THE ACTION OF THE BATTERY. 

OBSERVATIONS. 

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE NINTH MASS. BATTERY. 

"Our place in the park was on the left and rear, and in the south- 
west corner of the field, nearest the part of the line of battle occupied 
by Gen. Sickles' 3d Corps. A little after 4 p. m. (July 2d) an aide-de- 
camp rode up to the wall near the left piece of our battery, inquired for 
Colonel McGilvery, commanding the brigade, and said, 'Capt. Randolph, 
chief of artillery of the 3d Corps, sends his compliments, and wishes 
you to send him two batteries of light twelves.' 

Colonel McGilvery turned around and said 'Capt. Hart and Capt. 
Bigelow, take your batteries and report to Capt. Randolph!" (Colonel 
McGilvery in his official report savs the "5th Mass. Battery Captain 
Phillips," instead of "Capt. Hart." See p. 667. ) 

The distance across the field was 300 yards, up a slope to a road: 
fences all down. 

Our position was between the Peach Orchard and Wheat Field, on 
the left of the 5th Mass. Battery, and nothing in sight on our left. 
The position was swept by Confederate artillery, and some were 
wounded while going in battery." 

General Henry J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Army 
of the Potomac, is quoted as saying in a paper published in 
the Century of December, 1886: — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. (;47 

"Although already much cut up he (Bigelow) was directed by Mc- 
Gilvery to hold that point at all hazards until a line of artillery could 
be formed in front of the wood beyond Plum Run; that is, on what 
we have called the Plum Run line. This line was formed by collecting 
the serviceable batteries and fragments of batteries that were brought 
off, with which and Dow's Maine Battery, fresh from the Reserve, the 
pursuit was checked. . . . When, after fully accomplishing its purpose, 
all that was left of Bigelow's Battery was withdrawn, it was closely 
pressed by Humphrey's 21 st Mississippi, the only Confederate regiment 
which succeeded in crossing the Run. As the battery had sacrificed it- 
self for the safety of the line, its work is specially noticed, as typical of 
the service that artillery is not infrequently called upon to render, and 
did render in other instances at Gettysburg besides this one." 

The Adjutant General's Report of the state of Massachu- 
setts has the fono\Ying in the narrative of the Ninth ]\Iass. 
Battery : — 

"Canister could be brought to bear only on the centre of the rebel 
line, while its wings, comparatively unhurt, closed in on either flank. 

After suffering the losses enumerated . . . the enemy firing from 
our limber chests, and the exit through the stone wall blocked up with 
dead animals, the command was ordered to fall back and necessarily 
left four of its pieces on the field. (Horses being killed.) Covered, 
however, by the efficient fire of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery. Cap- 
tain Phillips, the guns were all afterwards secured." 

FROM CAPT. BIGELOW'S LETTER. 

Captain Bigelow wrote a letter June 2, 1879, to the 
Philadelphia Times in which occurs the following reference 
to the Fifth Battery : — 

"Owing to large stone bowlders interfering with my left section. I 
ordered Lieut. (Richard S.) Milton to take it out and to the rear. In 
accomplishing this most of the horses were shot, and one of the pieces 
was drawn off by hand, but the right and centre sections remained until 
overwhelmed by the enemy, who came in on their unprotected flanks. 
While we were thus engaged, McGilvery succeeded in placing the 
Sixth Maine. Dow. and 5th Massachusetts, Phillips, Batteries in posi- 
tion on the high ground in my rear. Cemetery Ridge proper. When I 
was raised from the ground, the enemy who had come in on the flanks 
of the Battery, were standing on the chests shooting down my can- 
noneers who were still securing their guns: but McGilvery was ready. 
I ordered my men to stop firing and get back to our hues as best they 
could Dow and Phillips immediately opened fire on their positions, 



648 HISTORY OF THE 

and the enemy's advance in this direction was stopped, although there 
were no infantry on our line for some time afterward." 

THE FIGHT OF JULY ^d. 

"With bristling bayonets glistening in the sun, 
The stubborn ranks, inspired by victories won. 
Pressed grimly on, unmindful of the storm 
Of shot and shell that felled full many a form. 
Until an earthquake shook the startled earth. 
As though the fiends of hell were given birth. 
The Federal guns now belched volcanic wrath, 
Which carried untold misery in its path. 

'Strike! Strike! for freedom and your native land!' 
And bayonets clashed in contests hand to hand. 
Oh, fierce the struggle, but they break! they fly! 
And God to freedom gives the victory." 

— Brevet Colonel Hor.\tio C. King. 

Thirty-second Annual Reunion Society of the Army of the Potomac 



Edwin Forbes who made the famous sketches on the 
battle fields, in his description of the field of Gettysburg on 
the morning of July 3, 1863, says: — 

"A great convulsion of nature could not have made more universal 
destruction ; everything bore the mark of death and ruin. The whoh 
slope was massed with dead horses." 

THE DISPOSITION OF THE FORCES. 

Slocum with the Twelfth Corps and Wadsworth's Divi- 
sion of the First, held Gulp's Hill, reclaimed from the rebe 
general Ewell in the early morning. Howard's Eleventl' 
Corps and Robinson's Division of the First, were on Ceme- 
tery Hill, then extending to the left came Alexander Hays 
Brigade of the Second Corps in two lines; the front bein^ 
posted behind a low stone wall until the line turned west 
ward where it was lower, with a rail fence on the top of th( 
wall. Farther along, in front of John (iibbon's Divisior 
of the same Corps the (Mily protection was an ordinary rai 



Gettysburg. 

The. Fis'nt of J\i7y 3^ ' 




/. /Jmei,' Z. (/^/^oi^z. 3. Z'"^MJ.Borte-ryB. -^.Ran^sSecHonS. Z^'' Co-nr\ 




Mill. iz. Peach Or-cTia-r^. 13. Gxins aSironczd T^y ths 'Hehe.ls. /•♦. Florida 
Bri^ctde. captured by a Union Brigade. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 649 

fence put together by the troops for the occasion. Next 
came General Abner Doiibleday's Division of the First 
Corps ; then General J. C. Caldwell's Division of the Second 
Corps; then the Third Corps with D. B. Birney's Division 
in the front line; then the Fifth Corps, closing up the line 
to Round Top. and the Sixth Corps principally in reserve. 

At eleven o'clock on July 3d the battle ceased on the right. 
The Federal line was that to which it had been forced back 
on the previous day, and almost as it was at noon of July 2d. 
before the Third Corps moved out to the Emmittsburg road 
and the Wheat Field, except that the Fifth Corps extended 
the line on the left, occupying Little and Big Round Tops. 

The assault of the enemy was made upon the ground 
occupied on July 2d, by the 2d and 3d Divisions of the 
Second Corps. 

The Artillery Reserve. ciMumanded l)y General Henry J. 
Hunt, were posted from General H. \\\ Slocum's Head 
Quarters near the Baltimore turnpike, to the extreme left of 
Great Round Top. 

At one o'clock p. m.. the enemy, whose artillery had Ijeen 
placed on the most commanding positions, from Benner's 
Hill on the right to Seminary Ridge opposite Round Top, 
opened fire on our batteries out of a Hue of artillery three 
miles in length, concentrated on a clump of trees held by 
Webb's Brigade of the Second Corps. There were 150 guns 
on the rebel side, 80 effective guns on ours. The battle on 
the Union side according to General Henry J. Hunt, was a 
purely defensive one. The Confederates fired two hours 
without interruption from our guns, and ceased. Our 
troops were protected by whatever shelter they could pile 
together. Then followed absolute silence. The Confeder- 
ates have observed the fire of the guns, attached to the 
Corps as described from right to left, dying down — the Sec- 
ond Corps batteries had nothing left but canister, — and be- 
lieve all our guns are being silenced. They advance the 



650 HISTORY OF THE 

attacking column, a long line of skirmishers to the number 
of 18.000 across the field and up the slope of Cemetery 
Ridge, and the rebel flags of Virginia and the alleged Con- 
federacy wave for a moment over the low stone wall in 
front of Webb's Brigade in the very centre of the Union 
position. 

In another portion of the field a desperate battle was 
being fought by cavalry; Custer's Michigan Brigade against 
the rebel general Stuart for the possession of the road to 
Baltimore. 

The ill effects of the bombardment of the Union Centre 
were more easily avoided by those who occupied Cemetery 
Ridge than those lingering on the plain behind it. Head 
Quarters and ordnance stores were reached by the flving 
shells, and had to be removed farther to the rear, while 
General Meade and staff rode forward nearer to the line 
of battle on the Ridge, a much safer post of observation 
than the open plain. 

GENERAL O. O. HOWARD'S STORY. 

General Howard thus wrote in an article published in the 
Atlantic Monthly for July, 1876: — 

"Longstreet is said to have brought together in his front, opposite 
the low ground north of Little Round Top, fifty-five long range guns, 
and Hill massed some sixty more a little farther towards and opposite 
to our centre. ... As there seemed to be actually no place of :^afety, 
my stafif officers sat by me nearly in front of four twelve-pound Parrott 
guns that played over our heads, almost every available space being 
covered with artillery. 

At half past two p. m. we ceased to fire. . . . The firing of the 
enemy lulled, and I could see, better than the day before, their infantry 
in line; at least a quarter of a mile of it was exposed to my view, as it 
started from Oak Ridge opposite our left. It was like an extensive 
parade ; the flags were flying, and the line steadily advancing. ... As 
soon as they were near enough, Osborne, Wainwright, McGilvery, and 
other artillery chiefs, started the fire of their batteries; first with solid 
shot, making hardly any impression, soon with shells exploding near 
and over and beyond the advancing line. . . . When nearer the canister 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 651 

was freely used, and the gaps in the enemy's line grew bigger and 
harder to close. Soon this array came within short musketry range of 
our full long line in their front, all concealed by temporary cover, 
breastworks, stone walls, and trenches. As if by some simultaneous 
impulse, the whole line fired and continued to fire, rapidly, for perhaps 
five or ten minutes. As the smoke rose I saw no longer any enemy's 
line. There was running in every direction. Regiments of ours from 
Steinwehr's position to Round Top. were moving into the valley, with 
their flags flying, and apparently without much order, taking flags, guns, 
and provisions, and bringing them in." 

FROM HYDE'S "FOLLOWING THE GREEK 

CROSS." 
General T. W. Hyde thus describes the assault : — 

"On they came, it looked to me like three lines, about a mile long 
each, in perfect order. They cross the Emmittsburg pike and our 
guns, eighty in all. cool and in good shape, open first with shot, and 
then with shell. . . . But a tremendous roar of musketry crashes out, 
and I know the big guns are firing grape and canister now. And soon 
they appear again, and this time the colors are together, like a little 
forest, but the men are dropping like leaves in autumn. . . . From a hill 
I was fortunate enough to see the defeat of Stuart's cavalry by Gregg. 
All it looked like was a dust cloud with flakes of light in it, as the sun 
shone upon the swinging sabres." 

It is said that a motion in the British House of Commons 
to recognize the Confederate States, would have passed but 
for the news of the victory at Gettysburg. 

THE POSITION OF THE BATTERY. 

At daylight July 3, 1863, we took position to the right 
and rear of our position on the day before. At 10 a. m. 
General Hunt, chief of artillery, made an inspection of the 
entire line. "Phillips' Fifth Massachusetts 6 3-inch," is 
mentioned as one of the batteries on the left of the Second 
Corps, betwen Thompson's Pennsylvania and Hart's New 
York. 

At 3 o'clock when Longstreet's Corps charged we en- 
filaded them terribly. Powell the historian says: — 



652 HISTORY OF THE 

"the rifled guns of the Union Artillery, having no canister, were with- 
drawn from the line, and the double-shotted I2 pounders were left to 
do the work." 

Captain Phillips in his letter written at Littlestown, 
Penn., July 6, 1863, in relation to the fight of July 3d pro- 
ceeds as follows : 

"The next morning I went into position at daylight, and 
everything remained quiet till one o'clock. Finding that 
the rebels were massing artillery in our front, the Major 
ordered us to throw up a parapet, which we afterwards 
found conduced very much to our comfort. About one they 
commenced the most tremendous cannonading I ever heard. 
They must have had 80 or 90 guns in position. As artillery 
ammunition was rather short, we had been ordered not to 
reply to their batteries, and so we could lie still and enjoy 
it. My men were entirely sheltered by our parapet, and 
about the only damage done was to kill 8 or 10 horses. 

Viewed as a display of fireworks, the rebel practice was 
entirely successful, but as a military demonstration it was 
the biggest humbug of the season. 

About half past one General Hancock ordered us to reply, 
thereby showing how little an infantry officer knows about 
artillery. The rebels were not doing us any harm, and if 
they wanted to throw away their ammunition I do not see 
why we should prevent them. However, we obeyed orders. 
Fortunately, Major McGilvery came up and stopped us 
before we had fired a great while. 

After firing an hour and wasting all their ammunition, 
and probably fancying that they had achieved a great result 
and silenced our guns, Longstreet's Corps made the grand 
charge of the day. This charge was made on our right, 
so that the rebels, in crossing the fields, exposed their right 
flank to an enfilading fire from our position. 

As soon as the rebel line appeared, our cannoneers sprang 
to their guns, and our silenced batteries poured in a rain of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 653 

shot and shell, which must have sickened the rebels of their 
work. I never saw artillery so ably handled, or productive 
of such decisive results. It was far superi(jr even to Mal- 
vern Hill. For half an hour our line was one continuous 
roar of artillery, and the shot ploughed throug-h the rebel 
ranks most terrifically. Then our infantry went in and 
repulsed the rebels, taking a great many prisoners. 

During this charge an event took place, which must have 
convinced the rebel artillery officers that they had something 
to learn. They ad\anced a 12 pdr. battery about 200 yards 
on our left, and blazed away. We let them get well at 
work, and then the Major turned four batteries on them, 
and in less than ten minutes not a cannoneer was left to 
work the guns: all were dead or had 'skedaddled.' The 
guns stood out in the field till late in the afternoon, when 
we allowed the rebels to take them off, as it cost too much 
ammunition to keep them off, and they could have removed 
them after dark any way. 

After the repulse of the grand charge, a ridiculous demon- 
stration took place in front of us. A Florida Brigade ad- 
vanced and got into a ravine about 200 yards in front of us, 
when a Brigade of ours got the other side of them and cap- 
tured the whole concern! This finished the rebels for that 
day, and the next day their batteries had disappeared, but 
our forces, instead of advancing, by which we might have 
gained a decisive victory, spent the whole day in skirmish- 
ing, allowing a line of rebel pickets to conceal from us what 
was going on in their rear, — I may be mistaken, but this is 
the way it struck me. 

Saturday forenoon we retired to the Rear and rested, and 
yesterday we marched to this place. My losses for the two 
days foot up i officer wounded severely, 4 men killed, 16 
wounded, — 2 probably mortally — 40 horses killed, 690 
rounds fired. There were, of course, the usual number of 
narrow escapes, but I was not wounded even in my coat or 
hat." 



654 HISTORY OF THE 

In a letter dated December i6, 1901, Private Louis E. 
Pattison says of the reference of Captain Phillips to the 
action of General Hancock : — 

"Phillips' comment upon Hancock's action at Gettysburg 
in ordering the artillery fire, is exactly what the rank and 
file thought. 

Had Hancock let Hunt manage the whole line of artillery, 
the rebel column would never have reached the clump of 
trees, and a counter charge should then have been made by 
our Army, which would have been successful, and much 
of the slaughter of 1864, would have been avoided. Our 
Battery was only excelled by D, 5th U. S." 



From the letter of Captain Phillips sent with the plans 
from the camp near Kelly's Ford Nov. 21, 1863: — 

"At daylight the next day (July 3d) McGilvery placed 
his Brigade in position. He had 37 guns placed close to- 
gether, arranged as follows, commencing from the left : — 
Battery G, ist N. Y. (Capt. Nelson Ames) 6 guns, 6th 
Maine (Captain Edwin B. Dow) 4 guns. New Jersey Bat- 
tery (Battery B, 2d N. J. Art'y), 6 guns, N. Y. (Rank's 
Section) 2 guns, ist Conn. 6 guns, 15th N. Y. (Capt. 
Patrick Hart) 4 guns, Fifth Mass. (Phillips) 4 guns, — 
I did not have men and horses enough for six, — C, Penn. 
Art'y (Capt. James Thompson) 5 guns. ["Rank's Sec- 
tion" was a section of Battery H, 3d Pennsylvania Heavy 
Artillery, which served that day as Light Artillerv. com- 
manded by Captain William D. Rank.] 

The rebel batteries were arranged along the crest in our 
front, the peach orchard being full of them. From the 
woods on our left to the right of our Brigade we threw up 
a little breastwork of rails and dirt, about two feet high, 
very useful and convenient. A Division of infantry were 
placed on this line between our guns, and only one man in 
the whole Division was hurt bv the rebel artillerv fire, and 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 05." 

he was foolishly lying about lo feet behind the breastwork. 

About noon the rebels opened a g-rand cannonade from 
their whole line, and for an hour and a half we had a 
grand Fourth of July performance. During the whole ot 
this time the reports averaged by actual count 70 or 80 a 
minute. I don't know what the rebels expected to do, but it 
was certainly a very foolish performance. 

We hitched our horses to trees, placed all our men snugly 
behind our heap of dirt, and rather enjoyed it than other- 
wise. To be sure they made a great noise, and the shells 
whistled round our heads so thick that a timid man hardly 
cared to stand up and look rijund to see what was going on, 
but we did not care about running away, when it was a 
great deal safer to stay where we were. I suppose the rebels 
thought they were blowing everything to pieces. The at- 
tack of Long-street's Corps was on our right, but we had a 
splendid range on them as they came across the fields, and 
must have injured them l)adly. The country was so open 
that they had no shelter from our fire and as we nearly 
enfiladed them, we could not help hitting them at every 
shot; so when they were repulsed they evidently did not 
care about going across the same open fields, but retreated 
more to our right, where they could get into the woods 
easier." 

Ci.rp'l George L. Newton in Notes dated Oct. 24, 1899. 
adds the following to the quotations from Captain Phillips : 
— "T remember some years after the War ended, I was with 
Captain Phillips in his office in Boston, and we were talking 
over old times, and he told me that the Battery fired nearly 
5^ tons of ammunition at Gettysburg during the fighting 
on the 2d and 3d of July." 

LETTER OF SERGT. WM. H. PEACOCK. 

"July 5. 1863. 

Camp near the B.\ttlefield of , Pa. 

1 came out of the fight all right. Our Battery \Vas en- 
gaged two days, and a terrible time we had of it. . . . The 



656 HISTORY OF THE 

9th Mass. Battery lost 38 men killed and wounded. Captain 
Bigelow of Brighton was shot through the side; not a fatal 
wound, I hear. On my Gun one man was killed and five 
wounded, out of 10 of us. The second day we gave them 
an awful whipping. I think we will have another battle 
before the rebels leave this state, or Maryland." 

FROM CORPORAL CHASE'S DIARY. 

"July 3, 1863. Not a wink of sleep last night: wound 
very painful. Four of our pieces left for the front about 6 
this morning, the other two pieces, caissons, battery-wagon 
and forge advanced about half a mile nearer the front about 
10 a. m. Cannonading' began again this morning at day- 
light. Kept with the caissons this morning. JMet Lieut. 
Lombard of the i6th Mass. Reg't. Not much fighting until 
I p. m. when a terrific cannonading commenced, and at 
3 p. m. has not slackened. Wm. L. Purbeck died of his 
wounds this a. m. and his remains were buried. No hopes 
of the recovery of Wm. E. Estee this a. m. Battery engaged 
again this p, m. John Canty and John Olin wounded this 
p. m. Olin slightly. The battery-wagon, forge teams, two 
guns and caissons, started to the Rear when the heavy 
firing commenced. Serg't. Nye came to us this p. m. with 
rations. A furious cannonading kept up until about 4 p. m. 
when it gradually slackened. The men on our pieces in 
front report that the enemy is shelling them terribly. 
Quite a large lot of rebel prisoners — about 800 — passed us 
about 4 p. m. ; among them several commissioned officers. 
The prospect locks nure and more favorable for us this 
p. m. Martin J. Coleman and Henry W. Soule still missing. 
D. K. Shackley slightly bruised by a fragment of shell 
p. m. Very quiet up to the front at 6 p. m., but little can- 
nonading at this time. Many of the rebel prisoners today 
badly wounded. Our guns partly sheltered from the fire by 
breastworks, but many of the caisson horses were killed. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 657 

My wound very sore today and somewhat inflamed. 
Weather cloudy and quite cool. Stragglers warned of the 
wrath to come if they incur the indignation of General 
Meade by skulking. Wm. Greeley made delirious by the 
wind of a shell p. m. ; sent him to the hospital. W. A. 
\\'augh slightly bruised by a piece of shell. More hopes 
of Wm. E. Estee tonight. John Canty's right arm ampu- 
tated to-day. M. J. Coleman still missing. The 5th detach- 
ment exchanged gun (see p. 923 Captain Fitzhugh) for one 
with a charge wedged in from a New York battery. 

July 4, 1863. All quiet this morning. Not as much as a 
'bunch of crackers' to be heard* except the grinding of hard 
crackers this morning. Quite a comfortable night's rest last 
night. A little rain fell in the night. The dead body of 
H. W. Soule found on the field where we fought on the 
2d inst. by Lieut. Spear this morning. Serg't. Smith reports 
that we have already lost forty horses in the two days' fight- 
ing. Had a good bath this morning and feel quite refreshed. 
]\Iy wound doing well but very sore. Alartin J. Coleman 
found on the field seriously wounded, a. m. He was brought 
to the rear and carried to the hospital. 

The 5th and 6th detachments with guns, caissons, and the 
battery-wagon, forg-e and team, moved to a field near where 
we halted before going into action on the 2d inst., in front 
of the nth Corps hospital. The whole Battery in park in 
the above field. A thundershower came up about half past 
3 p. m. and rained very fast for about an hour. Went on 
the battlefield after the shower p. m. Many bodies of both 
I'nion and rebel soldiers were unburied. Saw 20 dead 
horses within the space of half an acre, probably horses be- 
longing to the 9th Mass. Battery. Put up tents and 'turned 
in' on the wet ground! A party of our men went out on 
the field p. m. and buried the remains of Fotheringham, 
Verity, and Soule. — Distant cannonading heard in the 
evening. Weather cool and comfortable with some rain. 



658 HISTORY OF THE 

Some of our men went out beyond the outer pickets for the 
limber of the ist detachment gun and broujo^ht it to camp; 
a hazardous job. The rebel pickets fired upon them with- 
out effect. 

July 5, 1863. Sunday. Went to the hospital this morn- 
ing and had my wound dressed. No hopes of the recover) 
of Martin J. Coleman. J. Hathaway seriously wounded 
J. Canty comfortable. All quiet today. Lieut. Scott came 
to us a. m. Battery hitched up and joined the column on 
the march for Frederick City, Md. Went to the hospital 
of the Reserve Artillery with all our wounded, p. m., hospi- 
tal on the Baltimore turnpike about three miles from the 
battlefield. Hospital a good dwelling house and a barn. 
All hands had a plentiful supper of broiled mackerel, bread 
and coffee. Remained with the wounded till 11 p. m., with 
G. Trumbull, attending to their wants. Two of our men 
up all the time and were relieved every two hours. 

Our Battery, with the Volunteer Reserve, passed the hos- 
pital about 6 p. m. on the march to Frederick, Md. Lieut. 
Scott left here with us. 

July 6, 1863. Quite a comfortable night's rest last night. 
The wounded men rested very quietly most of the time. 
Hard bread and coffee with a little beef steak for break- 
fast. Some clean clothing given to those of us who needed 
it most. By request of M. J. Coleman wrote to his father 
that he could not live, and that the letter would probably 
be the last he would hear from him. The Dr. has no hopes 
of Coleman's recovery. Boiled meat and broth for dinner, 
ham, bread and coffee for supper. Went to see some rebel 
prisoners in the hospital, — wounded, — p. m. Their hospital 
was a small church and a cemetery, graves serving as 
pillows. 

July 7, 1863. John M. Canty died last night about 
1 1 p. m. and was buried this morning. Arose at 2 a. m to 
help watch with the wounded. A good, plentiful breakfast 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. Gr)I> 

of fried ham this morning; boiled fresh meat, and a good 
broth for dinner. Lieut. Scott with other commissioned 
officers left us today for home. Ham for supper. Weather 
quite cool and comfortable. 

DYING WORDS OF COLEMAN. 
Notes of Aug. 13, 1899. 

Martin J. Coleman was mortally wounded at Gettysburg 
and was brought to a temporary hospital where I was. I 
did not know that he was seriously wounded until I asked 
the surgeon how he was getting on, and he told me he 
could not live long. Soon after Coleman sent for me to 
write a letter for him. I could relate other instances to 
show the spirit and material of the old 5th Mass. Battery, 
but writing that letter was the most pathetic act I was called 
upon to perform while in service. He dictated this to me : — 
'Dear Father : I have not long to live. I have tried to be a 
faithful soldier, and I die for the flag.' " 

FROM NOTES OF CORPORAL SHACKLEY, 1863. 

"On the 3d July we went into line with only 3 guns, not 
having men and horses to serve more. 

THE WOUNDING OF JOHN M. CANTY. 

After the enemy had shelled our lines, and had begun their 
advance, we commenced firing. John Canty was driver of 
the pole team of the ist caisson — the limber of the Gun 
was left on the field on the previous day, — and was kneeling 
on his right knee, his right arm behind the horse's left 
fore leg, his left hand holding the bridle rein. Corporal 
Shackley, assisting No. 5 to serve ammunition, had a 
Schenkle combination shell on the ground, between his 
knees, trying to turn the cap to set the time-fuze, when a 
shell came and took off the horse's leg above the knee. 



660 HISTORY OF THE 

Canty's arm off above the elbow, and the horse's right 
hind foot off above the ankle with such force as to tear the 
shoe clear of the foot, and the shoe struck the Corporal 
on his left wrist, and made him lame for nearly a week. 
The skin was not broken, but turned very dark, the sleeve 
of his blouse having protected it to some extent. The shell 
fell to the ground under the Corporal's nose and he picked 
it up, and threw it away. 

Canty died of his wound. The shell did not explode." 

In relation to the battle Shackley wrote in a letter at the 

time : — "We have had two days of as hard fighting as has 

been done in this war, but as long as I have health I will 

not grumble." 

NOTES OF JOHN E. DYER, 1863. 

"July 3, 1863. A thick morning. Firing commenced 
about daybreak. Our Battery, with four pieces, went to 
the front at 6 a. m. At i p. m the most awful cannonading 
commenced from the enemy, and was kept up until 3^ p. m. 
During the time we silenced one of their batteries. General 
Longstreet reported taken with part of his men. Slept on 
the field. 

July 4, 1863. Independence Day. Still on the field. 
Went over it, and among the wounded found Coleman and 
J. Hathaway. Took a blanket, put one in at a time, and 
brought them off. About 7 a. m. we left our position, and 
went to the rear with all our pieces and caissons, but with 
a loss of 21 men killed and wounded, also 41 horses killed. 
This is a great loss for artillery." 

NOTES OF CORPORAL GRAHAM. 
Finding the Bodies. 

"On the afternoon of the 4th Captain Phillips ordered a 
sergeant to go down on the centre of the field, out beyond 
our pickets, where the rebs had left one of their guns the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



661 



day before. So he mounts a horse and starts down. When 
he got to the picket Hne his heart failed him, so he came 
back. Then the Captain came to me, and he says, 'Graham, 
you go down on the field, and get me that pole-yoke from 
that limber.' So I went out on the centre of the field, and 
tried to get it, but as I had no wTench, and there was none 
in the limber chest, I had to leave it. I walked from there 
in the centre of both picket lines, to the position we occupied 
on the second day. It was there where I found poor Henry 
Soule. He was the first one that I found. He \vas under a 
small apple tree. Fotheringham was nearer the position 
of the Battery. 

From the field I went into the Trostle house, where I 
found John Hathaway and Coleman. They were both badly 
wounded. The rebels had stripped Hathaway of all his 
;lothing. When I found him he was sitting in a chair 
underneath a mirror, and I saw him in the glass first, and 
he gave me quite a fright, for the only thing he had on was 
a white sheet. He looked more like a ghost than a man. 
I asked him if there were any other of the boys in the house, 
and he said he did not know, so I looked the house over 
from garret to cellar, and there, behind the chimney, found 
Coleman. I tried to get an ambulance to take them to the 
rear, but it was of no use. I went back to the Battery and 
reported to the Captain. He had the men make some 
stretchers, and had Hathaway and Coleman taken to the 
field hospital, where they died in a day or two. The last I 
saw of Henry Soule they were digging a grave under that 
apple tree, but I did not stay to see whether he was buried 
there or not." 

The last resting place of Henry W. Soule is in Oak Grove 
Cemetery, New Bedford, Mass. 

"You may lean your backs against comrades now, 
They'll moisten your lips, and they'll kiss your 
brow. 



062 HISTORY OF THE 

For they fought like men, and a man may weep 
When he lays a man to his last long sleep." 

— Richard Mansfield. 

REPORT OF CAPTAIN C A. PHILLIPS. 

Hd. Ors. Battery E, Mass. Art'y, 

July 6, 1863. 
Major McGilvery, Com'd'g ist Brig. /. A. R. 

Major : 

I liave the honor to forward a report of the battery 
inring the action of July 2d and 3d. 

On the morning of the 2d I marched from Taneytown 
towards Gettysburg, and came into park near the battlefield. 
At 4 o'clock I was ordered into action, and took position on 
the right of Captain Bigelow and left of Captain Hart. 
The enemy soon opened a heavy artillery fire on our front 
and right, one battery on my right which I could not see, 
giving us a very hot enfilading fire. Towards 5 o'clock the 
enemy succeeded in forcing back our lines on our right and 
left, and the battery was subjected to a heavy musketry fire 
on both flanks. Accordingly upon receiving the order from 
you, I limbered to the rear and retired. The horses on the 
left piece were shot before limbering, and we were obliged 
to bring the piece ofif by hand, leaving the limber, — this was 
however brought off on the 4th. Lieut. Henry D. Scott 
was shot in the face and severely wounded while bringing 
off this piece. After retiring about 1000 yards I came into 
battery by the side of the 6th Maine Battery, Lieut. Dow 
com'd'g, and remained until my ammunition was expended, 
when I marched to the rear, and went into park for the 
night. 

At daylight on the 3d I was ordered to the front, and 
took position to the right and rear of the position of the day 
before, on the right of Captain Hart, and left of Captain 
Thompson. Under your direction the guns were protected 
by a slight parapet, which proved of very great service. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. i\iV.\ 

About one o'clock the enemy opened a heavy fire from a 
long line of batteries, which was kept up for an hour, but 
beyond the noise which was made, no g-reat harm was done. 
Having received orders from General Hunt, and from you. 
not to reply to their batteries, I remained silent for the first 
half hour, when General Hancock ordered us to open. We 
then opened fire on the enemy's batteries, but in the thick 
smoke probably did very little damage. By your orders 
we soon ceased firing. Soon after a charge was made by 
General Longstreet's Corps, and from my position I was 
enabled to pour a heavy enfilading fire into the rebel infantry. 
After the repulse of this charge, another was made l>y a 
Florida Brigade within range of my guns. During the 
charge of General Longstreet, the rebels advanced a battery 
of 12 pdrs. on our left, whereupon the batteries of the ist 
brig, were ordered to concentrate their fire on it, which was 
done with such good effect that the rebel cannoneers were 
driven from their posts almost immediately, and left their 
guns in the field. 

I remained in this position until Saturday forenoon. 

I beg leave to express entire satisfaction with my ofticers 
and men. During the. two days 1 fired 690 rounds, losi 
I officer wounded, 4 men killed, 16 wounded, 40 horses 
killed, and a number disabled. A number of small imple- 
ments w^ere lost during the falling back of the first day, but 
the only losses of material which interfere with the efficiency 
of the Battery are : 

1 Wheel Harness for one horse. 
4 Sets Lead Harness. 

2 Wheels. 

I am very Respectfully 

Your ob't Serv't, 

Cii.ARLEs A. Phillips, Capt. 

Batter V E, Mass. Art'y. 



664 



HISTORY OF THE 



LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED OF BATTERY E, MASS. 

ART'Y AT THE BATTLE NEAR GETTYSBURG, 

PA., JULY 2D AND 3D, 1863. 



NAMES. 


RANK. 






Henry D. Scott 


1st Lieut. 


wounded 


face 


Thomas E. Chase 


Corporal 


" 


arm slightly. 


John A gen 


" 


Arm brok( 


J 


Wm. L. Purbeck 


Private 


Killed. 




Henry W. Soule 


" 


" 




John G. Sanford 


a 


wounded 


side slightly. 


Henry Fitzsimmons 


" 


" 


leg severely 


George R. Trumbull 


" 


" 


foot slightly. 


Martin J. Coleman 


" 


" 


Knee and Arm mortally. 


William E. Estee 


" 


" 


hip severely 


William H. Dunham 


" 


" 


shoulder slightly 


John F. Hathaway 


" 


" 


breast severely 


John M. Canty 


" 


" 


arm amputated. 


Daniel K. Shackley 


" 


" 


arm slightly 


John H. Olin 


" 


" 


hip severely. 


William A. Waugh 


" 


" 


arm slightly. 



LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED OF THE iqTH NEW 
YORK IND. BATTERY NOW SERVING WITH BATTERY 
E.. MASS. ART'Y AT THE BATTLE NEAR GETTYS- 
BURG, PA.. JULY 2D & 3D, 1863. 

NAMES. RANK. 

Edward Fotheringham Private Killed. 

Henry Graffelman " Wounded b y severely 

Thomas Fairhuret " " shoulder slightly 

William M' Kern " " groin severely. 

John W. Verity " Killed. 

In the Roll of Honor, published in Fox's "New York 
at Gettysburg," names of soldiers in New York Regiments 
and Batteries, who were killed or mortally wounded at 
that Battle, are : 

lOTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY L. A. 

Fotheringham Edward, Private. 
Verity John W., Private. 

Temporarily attached to the 5th Massachusetts Battery. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 665 

In relation to the Third Day's Fight Captain Phillips 
wrote his little nephew, under date July 31st, 1863: "On 
the next day we had a splendid exhibition of fireworks 
got up by the rebel chief of artillery for our amusement. 
For about an hour and a half there were at least 100 shots 
a minute, and the banging and whizzing round was so con- 
stant as to be quite confusing. Just before it commenced 
Lieut. Lull and I were lying in a little shelter tent, but 
when the shower came we concluded to get behind a pile 
of dirt, and it was lucky we did so, for in less than five 
'uinutes a shell struck the shelter tent and knocked it all 
to pieces . . . But when the infantry came out we jumped 
up and went at it hammer and tongs. We had a splendid 
chance at them, and we made the most of it . . . The prettiest 
thing, however, was the way w-e silenced a rebel battery 
which they brought out into the field. We let them get into 
position and all ready, and then we went at them. For 
about five minutes the shells were bursting round their heads 
pretty thick, and when the smoke and dust cleared away 
we could see one horse, but no men left. The guns stood 
just where they placed them, but they did not fire another 
shot." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. J. E. SPEAR. 

"The Major referred to here is Major McGilvery of 
ALiine, who commanded several batteries on Sickles' line 
when he was forced back the second day. I was on his 
staff as Assistant x\djutant General." Note by Lieut. Spear 
July 24, 190 1. 

"Head Quarters ist Brig. Vol. A. C. 
Camp near Frederick, Md. 

July 7. 1863. 

Well here we are back to Frederick. Md., which place we 
left one week ago last Monday morning. The first day, — 



006 HISTORY OF THE 

Monday, — we marched as far as Middleburg, Md., and there 
we went into camp for the night. The next morning, — 
Tuesday, — we broke camp and marched that day about ten 
miles, to Taneytown, where we went into camp, and re- 
mained until Wednesday morning, when we were ordered 
to move, but orders were countermanded, and we remained 
until Thursday morning, when we broke camp and marched 
towards Gettysburg, Pa., and we went into park about : 
o'clock, near the Battlefield, 

At 4 o'clock the Major received orders for his batteries 
to move into position^ and they were placed near the centre 
of the 3d Corps on the Left of the line of battle. As soon 
as the batteries were placed in position the rebels opened a 
heavy artillery fire on our front and right. Towards 5 
o'clock the enemy succeeded in forcing back our lines on our 
right and left, and the batteries were subjected to a hot 
musketry fire on the flanks. Some of the batteries then com- 
menced to retreat before the order was given by the Major, 
but Capt. Phillips and Capt. Bigelow of the 9th Mass. 
Battery, remained until the Major gave the order to retire. 
When retiring Capt. Phillips and Capt. Bigelow lost a 
great many men and horses, and had to pull some of their 
pieces off by hand. After retiring about 1000 yards these 
two batteries came into position and remained there until 
all their ammunition was expended, when they went into 
park to the rear of the Battlefield. 

At daylight on the 3d we were ordered into position near 
the centre of our line, and here the men built a slight parapet 
to protect themselves from the shells and bullets of the rebels, 
which proved of very great importance, for it saved the 
lives of many men. About i o'clock p. m. of the 3d 
the enemy opened a heavy fire from a long line of batter- 
ies, which was kept up for an hour, but beyond the noise 
made no great harm was done. Soon after the firing 
ceased, the rebels made a charge, and from our position 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 6G7 

we were enabled to pour a heavy enfiladinj^ fire into the 
rebel infantry. 

After the repulse (^f this charo-e. another was made 1)v a 
Florida Brigade within range of our guns. These were verv 
soon repulsed, and we remained in. position until the day 
after, when the rebels commenced to retreat, and we com- 
menced to march and head them off. We expect to move 
towards Antietam." 

REPORT OF COLONEL FREE^^AX ^fcGILVERY. 
Found Among the Papers of Major Charles A. PHii.i.irs: 

"Report of the part taken by the ist Brigade Vol. Division Artillery 
Reserve, and other Batteries under my command in the Battle near 
Gettysburg Pa. July 2d and 3d 1863." 

The list of batteries composing the Brigade is here given, 
then follows the Report: 

"General R. O. Tyler, Commanding Artillery Reserve A. P. 
General. 

I have the honor to respectfully report that my Brigade being in park 
at a central position near our line of battle at half-past three o'clock 
p. m. on the 2d of July, I received an order from yourself to report to 
General Sickles with one Light 12 pdr. and one Rifled Battery. 

The 5th Mass. Battery, Captain Phillips, and 9th Mass. Battery Cap- 
tain Bigelow were marched immediately to a position occupied by Gen- 
eral Sickles, near a belt of oak woods considerably in front of the pro- 
longation of the natural line of defenses of our Army on the Left Cen- 
tre, in which General Sickles' command was engaged with the enemy. 

By General Sickles' order I made an examination of the ground, 
and placed the two Mass. Batteries in a position that commanded most 
of the open country between the woods held by our troops on the Left 
Centre and the woods and high ground occupied by the enemy on their 
right. .\ New Jersey Battery immediately on the right of the two 
Mass. Batteries, was receiving the most of the fire of two or more rebel 
batteries. Hart's 15th New York Battery reporting at that time, I 
placed it in position in a Peach Orchard on the right and a little to the 
front of the New Jersey Battery. The four batteries already mentioned 
presented a front nearly at right angles with the position occupied by 
our troops facing towards our left, the fire of which I concentrated on 
single rebel batteries, and five or more were driven in succession from 
their position. 



668 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain Thompson's F and C consolidated Pa. Battery of my Bri- 
gade, took oosition on the right of the 15th New York Battery, two 
sections of which battery fronted and fired in the direction of those 
heretofore mentioned and the right section fronted to the right and 
opened fire on a section or more of rebel artillery posted in the woods 
at canister range, immediately on the right of the batteries under my 
command, the enfilade fire of which was inflicting serious damage 
through the whole line of my command. At about 5 o'clock a heavy 
column of rebel infantry made its appearance in a grain field about 850 
yards in front, moving at quick time towards the woods on our left 
where the infantry fighting was then going on. A well directed fire 
from all the batteries was brought to bear upon them, which destroyed 
the order of their march and drove many back into the woods on-their 
right, though the main portion of the column succeeded in reaching the 
point for which they started, and sheltered themselves from the artil- 
lery fire. 

In a few minutes another and larger column appeared at about 750 
yds. presenting a slight left flank to our position. I immediately trained 
the entire line of our guns upon them, and opened with various kinds 
of ammunition. The column continued to move on at double quick, 
until its head reached a barn immediately in front of my left battery 
at about 400 yards distant, when it came to a halt. I gave them canis- 
ter and solid shot with such good effect that I am sure that several hun- 
dred were put liors dit combat in a short space of time. The column 
was broken ; part fled in the direction from whence it came, part pushed 
on into the woods on our left. The remainder endeavored to shelter 
themselves in masses around the house and barn. I visited the position 
after the battle where the column in confusion massed up around the 
house and barn heretofore mentioned, and found 120 odd dead belong- 
ing to three So. Carolina Regiments. This mortality was no doubt 
from the effects of the artillery fire. The asperities of the ground in 
front of my batteries were such as to enable the enemy's sharpshooters 
in large numbers to cover themselves within very short range. At 
about a quarter to six o'clock the enemy's infantry gained possession of 
the woods immediately on the left of my line of batteries, and our in- 
fantry fell back both on our right and left, when great disorder ensued 
on both flanks of the line of batteries. At this period of the action all 
the batteries were exposed to a warm infantry fire from both flanks and 
front, whereupon I ordered them to retire 250 yards and renew their 
fire. The New Jersey Battery mentioned being out of ammunition re- 
tired to the rear. The 15th New York Battery also retired from the 
field. Captains Bigelow and Phillips, who were under my observation 
about all the time, evinced great coolness and skill in retiring their bat- 
teries. Captain Phillips with Lieut. Scott and four men hauled off one 
piece by hand, every horse on the limber havingbeen shot down. Lieut. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 669 

Scott was shot through the face whilst at this work, and it is a mystery 
to me that they were not all hit by the enemy's fire, as they were nearly 
surrounded and fired upon from almost every direction. Captain 
Bigelow retired by prolonge, firing canister, which with Captains Phil- 
lips and Thompson firing on his right in their new position, the enemy 
was checked effectually in his advance for a short time. Captain 
Thompson, having all the horses killed from the limber of one of his 
pieces whilst retiring, was compelled to leave the piece, which fell into 
the hands of the enemy. 

The crisis of the engagement had now arrived. I gave Captain 
Bigelow orders to hold his position as long as possible at all hazards, 
in order to give me time to form a new line of artillery, and justice 
demands that I should state that Captain Bigelow did hold his position, 
and execute his firing, with a deliberation and destructive effect upon 
the enemy in such a manner as only a brave and skilled officer could, 
until one officer killed and the others wounded and more than half his 
men either killed or wounded and his horses all shot down at the lim- 
bers, he was forced to leave four guns and retire. Lieut. Milton brought 
two guns safely to the rear. In the meantime I formed a new line of 
artillery about 400 yds. to the rear, close under the woods, and covering 
the opening which led into the Gettysburg and Taneytown road, of the 
following batteries and parts of batteries: Battery I, 5th Regulars, and 
a volunteer battery which I have never been able to learn the name of. 
Three guns of the 5th Mass. Battery, Two of Captain Thompson's Pa. 
Battery, and commenced firing on the enemy's line of infantry and ar- 
tillery which had formed in the open field only about 7 or 800 yards 
in our front ; a brook running through low bushes parallel to our front 
midway between ours and the enemy's lines, being occupied by rebel 
sharpshooters. As soon as the 6th Maine Battery reported, which was 
just before sundown, I ordered canister to be used on the low bushes in 
front, which compelled them (sharpshooters) to retire. About this time 
Pettit's 1st N. Y. Battery reported, and took a position on the right of 
the 6th Maine. At this time the enemy's fire, artillery — was very rapid 
and heavy. The unknown volunteer battery heretofore mentioned left 
the field. The guns of Battery I, 5th Reg. were abandoned. Captain 
Thompson's guns being out of ammunition were sent to the rear. 
Pettit's 1st N. Y. Battery remained only a few minutes, and left while 
I was directing the fire of the 6th Maine and a section of the 5th Mass. 
Captain Phillips, which remained in position and kept up a well 
directed fire upon the enemy's lines until they had ceased firing, which 
was about 8 o'clock. I then placed Captain Seely's Regular Battery 
Lieut. James, in position near Lieut. Dow's Battery, with instructions 
to watch the enemy closely and fire upon any advancing column, or 
reply to any artillery that might be opened upon us. There ended the 
engagement of the 2d of July. A detail was now made from the 6th 



i]70 HISTORY OF- THE 

Maine and Seely's Battery, to go to the front and haul off the guns of 
Battery I, 5th Regulars. Lieut. Dow I instructed to procure an infan- 
try detail and go to the front and haul off the guns of the 9th Mass., all 
of which was accomplished. The Guns of the two batteries, numbering 
8, were brought safely to the rear, and arrangements made to secure 
their safe transportation in the event of any contingency that might 
necessitate a retreat or other movement. During the engagement my 
horse was hit four times in the fore shoulder and breast by musketry, 
once on the fore leg by shell, and once on the hip by spent solid shot, of 
which wounds he soon after died. During the night I ascertained tht 
whereabouts of all my batteries and early in the morning of the 3d of 
July brought them into line on the low ground on our left centre, front- 
ing the woods and elevated position occupied by the enemy along the 
Gettysburg and Emmittsburg road, a point at which it was plain to be 
seen they were massing artillery in great force. The line of batteries 
under my command commencing on the left, which rested on an oak 
wood occupied by our infantry were in numbers and kinds of guns, as 
follows : — 

Ames' Battery G, ist N. Y., 6 Lt. 12 Pdrs. 

Dow's 6th Maine Battery 4 Lt. 12 Pdrs. 

A New Jersey Battery 6, 3 in. Guns. 

One Section New York Artillery, Lieut. Rank 2, 3 in. Guns. 

[Rank's Section, Battery H, 3d Penn. Heavy, see p. 654.] 

1st Conn. 4 James Rifled & 2 Howitzers. 

Hart's 15th New York Ind. Battery 4 Lt. 12 Pdrs. 

Phillips' 5th Mass. 6, 3 in. Rifles. 

Thompsons Battery F. & C. Consolidated Pa. Art'y 5, 3 in. Rifled. 

Total 39 Guns. 

In front of these batteries I had a slight earthwork thrown up, which 
proved sufficient to resist all the projectiles which struck it, and the 
commanders of batteries were repeatedly ordered that in the event of 
the enemy's opening a cannonading fire upon our lines to cover their 
men as much as possible, and not to return the fire until ordered. 

At about half-past 12 o'clock the enemy opened a terrific fire upon 
our lines, with at least 140 Guns ; this fire was very rapid and inaccu- 
rate, most of the projectiles passing from 20 to 100 feet over our lines. 
About one half hour after the commencement some general command- 
ing the infantry line, ordered three of the batteries to return the fire. 
After they had fired a few rounds I ordered the fire to cease, and the 
men to be covered. 

After the enemy had fired about an hour and a half, and expended 
at least 10,000 rounds of ammunition with but comparatively little 
damage to our immediate line, a slow, well-directed fire from all the 
guns under my command was concentrated upon single batteries of the 
enemy of those best in view and several were badly broken up, and sue- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 671 

cessively driven from their position to the rear. At about 3 p. m., a line 
of battle of about 3 or 4000 men appeared, advancing directly upon our 
front, which were completely broken up and scattered by our fire before 
coming within musket range of our Guns. Immediately after appeared 
three extended lines of battle of, at least, 35,000 men. advancing upon 
our centre. Those 3 lines of battle presented an oblique front to the 
guns under my command, and by training the whole line of guns ob- 
liquely to the right, we had a raking fire through all three of their lines. 

The execution of the fire must have been terrible, as it was over a 
level plain, and the effect was plain to be seen. In a few minutes in- 
stead of well ordered lines of battle, they were broken and confused 
masses, and fugitives flying in every direction. 

This ended the operations of the batteries under my command at 
the battle of Gettysburg. 

In conclusion I feel it my duty to state that the officers and men of 
the batteries in my Brigade behaved in the most gallant manner on the 
2d of July, where the battle raged most furiously. Part of the 5th and 
9th Mass. and C. & F. Consolidated Pa. Art'y, contested every inch of 
ground, and remained on the field to the very last. The 6th Maine 
Battery came into action in very opportune time, and rendered very 
valuable service. Captain Irish (Nathaniel Irish) of Battery F, Pa. 
Artillery, acting voluntary aid to me, was hit on the thigh in the early 
part of the engagement by solid shot, but would not leave the field until 
ordered by me to do so to have his wound dressed, and notwithstand- 
ing a serious contusion which he was suffering under, reported to me 
on the morning of the 3d of July, and remained with me during the 
day. ready to discharge any duty. 

Captains Phillips and Bigelow's conduct was gallant in the extreme. 

F. McGlLVERY Col. 

Me. Art'y Commd'g. 
Brigade." 

This copy of Colonel McGih^ery's report was not dated, 
but the note accompanying it was written at 

Head Quarters ist Brigade 
Art'y Reserve A. P. 
September 17, 1863. 

Captain: 

Herewith I send you a true copy of my report of the part taken by 
my Brigade in the Battle of Gettysburg, and as I have no other copy, 
you will greatly oblige me if you will cause a copy to be written for 



672 HISTORY OF THE 

yourself, and return the one I send you as soon as you have done with 
it. I shall try to come over and see you this evening. 

Very truly yours, 

F. McGlLVERY. 

Capt. Phillips 

ConicTg 5th Mass. Battery. 

THE MONUMENTS. 

"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have conse- 
crated it far above our power to add or detract." 

— Abraham Lincoln. 

Immediately after the invading- forces had been driven 
out of Pennsylvania, Governor Andrew Y. Curtin, the "War 
Governor" of that state, with the co-operation of the govern 
ors of states represented on the field, proceeded to secure 
a suitable site of seventeen acres adjoining the village 
cemetery, for the interment of the soldiers who there fell 
in defense of the Union, and purchased it in the name of the 
state of Pennsylvania, which assumed the expense of main- 
tenance, while the cost of re-interment and the erection 
of a suitable monument, was borne by the several states in 
due proportion. For this purpose, Massachusetts appro- 
priated $9,471.83; her burials numbered 159. 

Unknown 979. Total for all the states 3,555. But this 
does not, by any means, represent the actual loss of the 
Union army in killed and wounded. Many bodies were ex- 
humed and taken North for burial, and some of those buried 
in the cemetery died of disease after the battle. The head- 
stones for the known and unknown cost $20,000. The 
work of disinterment on the battlefield and removal to the 
cemetery beautifully located on the highest ground of 
Cemetery Ridge, commenced October 2y, 1863. 

Major General Darius N. Couch of Taunton, Mass., was 
in charge of the arrangements for the dedication in these 
grounds, November 19, 1863, of a monument which cost 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 673 

$50,000. The Hon. Edward Everett, ex-governor of Mas- 
sachusetts and ex-president of Harvard College, delivered 
the oration in the presence of the President of the United 
States, members of his cabinet, foreign ministers, governors 
of many states, and an immense concourse of people, and 
President Lincoln made his famous Gettvsburg address. 

In 1864, the legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act 
establishing "The Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Asso- 
ciation." In 1867, and 1868, Pennsylvania appropriated 
$3000 for the purchase of land on the battlefield, which was 
used in the acquisition of land on Cul])"s and Cemetery Hills 
and Little Round Top. 

On July I, 1869, the national monument was dedicated; 
address by General George G. Meade, an oration by Govern- 
or O. P. Morton of Indiana, and an ode by Bayard Taylor. 

In 1872, the cemetery was transferred to the care of the 
National Government in whose charge it has since remained, 
and generous appropriations have been made for its im- 
provement by congress; titles to lands on the battlefield 
being acquired. 

Congress in 1873, and 1887, donated a large number of 
cannon and cannon balls to the Gettysburg Battlefield Me- 
morial Association, which have been effectively used; the 
cannon being placed in positions occupied by the batteries 
during the battle. 

Tablets as markers were erected on Little Round Top by 
Grand Army Posts of Pennsylvania, but the first regimental 
monument erected on the battlefield, was that of the Second 
Massachusetts Infantry, Twelfth Corps, in 1879. It is near 
Spangler's Spring, which is on Gulp's Hill just in the rear 
of the Twelfth Corps line. The next was in 1880, the 91st 
Penn. Infantry, Fifth Corps, on Little Round Top. In 
1883, an appropriation of $5000 was received from the state 
of Massachusetts, which was the first grant of money for 
the erection of monuments on the field. 



674 HISTORY OF THE 

At a meeting of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial 
Association May 5, 1887, it was resolved that hereafter regi- 
ments erecting monuments on the grounds of the Associa- 
tion would be required to locate and place them in the 
position held by the regiment in the line of battle, but that 
they would not be prohibited from erecting such markers 
on the field to^ indicate secondary or advanced positions, as 
the Association might determine. 

February 11, 1895, the Secretary of War was authorized 
by act of congress to receive from the Gettysburg Battle- 
field Memorial Association a deed of conveyance, embracing 
about 800 acres, and on May 22, 1895, at the last meeting 
of the board of directors, the land owned by the Association 
consisting of 600 acres and 17 miles of driveways, — earth- 
works having been preserved or reconstructed whenever 
practicable, — was transferred to the United States Govern- 
ment. It is now under the care of three government com- 
missioners, and is known as "The Gettysburg National 
Park." 

The total amount of expenditures made by the various 
states, 18 in number, on account of the Gettysburg battle- 
field, including purchase of land, cost of monuments and 
contributions to the work of the Memorial Association, 
exclusive of appropriations for the National Cemetery, is 
$680,228.33, of which Massachusetts' share is $30,000. 

THE lOTH N. Y. IND. BATTERY. 

From "New York at Gettysburg," Edited by Lieut. Col. William 

F. Fox. 

"At Gettysburg the Tenth New York was attached to Phillips' Fifth 
Massachusetts Battery, and with that command fought in the battles of 
the second and third day. Of the 21 men killed and wounded in Cap- 
tain Phillips' command, 5 were from the Tenth New York Battery. In 
the second day's battle, Phillips was stationed with his six guns on the 
road leading from the Wheatfield to the Peach Orchard, where he was 
hotly engaged. On the third day his battery was in position on Ceme- 
tery Ridge, when it participated in the grand cannonade of that day. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 675 

In July, 1863, after Gettysburg, the battery (Tenth) under command of 
Lieut. T. C. Bruen, was stationed in the defences of Washington 
where it formed a part of the Twenty-second Coros. The monument is 
situated on what is now called 'Sickles Avenue,' on the north side of 
the road leading from the Peach Orchard to the Wheatfield and Little 
Round Top. The general dimensions are, base 4' 3^x3' 3". Total 
height 7' 8". Bronze letter tablet on front 2' o" x 3' o". Materials of 
Construction Quincy (Mass.) granite and Standard bronze. Con- 
tractors.— Frederick & Field. Cost, $500." 

INSCRIPTION. 

(Front.) 

"loth Independent Battery 

New York Light Artillery 

1st Volunteer Brigade. 

Artillery Reserve. 

July 2, 1863 

Attached to 5th Massachusetts 

Light Battery 'E.' 

Casualties. 

Killed 2, Wounded 3. 

Organized as the 2d 

Excelsior Battery 

Mustered into U. S. Service 

April 9, 1862 

Consolidated with 6th 

N. Y. Independent Battery 

June 21, 1864. 
Mustered out June 22, 1865." 

THE FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 

In 1883, the position selected for the monument to the 
men of the Fifth Mass. Battery, was a short distance farther 
to the front than that which it now occupies, but it was 
thought best to place it on the ridge beside those of the 
Ninth Mass. Battery, and Clarke's Battery (Battery B, ist 
N. J.) on Sickles Avenue, Wheatfield Road. It stands 
near the road running from the Peach Orchard to Little 
Round Top. It is of pure granite, and was made and 
erected by the Smith Granite Company of Westerly, Rhode 



6T6 HISTORY OF THE 

Island; about five feet square, resting on two bases, and 
about six feet high, with bevelled top. On the top are two 
sponge staves crossed. On the front face is the Fifth Corps 
badge, and within the Maltese Cross are the words : — 

FIFTH 

MASSACHUSETTS 

BATTERY. 

On the right : — 

THE NATION LIVES. 

On the base : — 

RESERVE ARTILLERY. 

On the left : — 

7 enlisted men killed. 

I officer and 12 enlisted 

Men wounded. 

700 rounds fired. 

Chs. A. Phillips, Captain 

Commanding. 

July 2d, 1863. 

The cost of the monument was $550, the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts contributing $500, and the Battery the 
remainder. 

On July 15, 1885, at a meeting of veteran organizations 
of the state of Massachusetts, arrangements were planned 
for its dedication, which took place Thursday, October 8, 
I885, between 9 and 10 o'clock, a. m., in a drizzling 
rain. The members of the Battery present were Captain 
Henry D. Scott, Corporal Thomas E. Chase, Serg't. Patrick 
Welsh, Privates John G. Sanford and John F. Murray, and 
Corporal Rodney Campbell. Captain Scott made the dedi- 
catory address, and remarks were made by Captain John F. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 077 

Murray, secretary of the Fifth Mass. Battery Association. 
At the close of Captain Scott's address "America" and 
"Auld Lang Syne" were sung. 

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Fifth Mass. Battery 
monument, with others dedicated on that day, was turned 
over by Colonel Edward J. Russell of Worcester, Mass., a 
veteran of the Fifteenth Mass. Reg't. Infantry, and a 
member of the Governor's Staff, representing His Excel- 
lency Governor George D. Robinson, to the keeping of the 
Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. The cere- 
mony took place in the hall of Corporal Slcelly Post 9, 
G. A. R. 

At the exercises at the Court House, after the decoration 
of the graves of the Massachusetts dead in the National 
Cemetery, the following message from Governor Robinson 
was read : — 

Boston, Oct. 8, 1885. 
To Colonel Edward J. Russell, Gettysburg, Pa. 
Massachusetts will never fail to appreciate the noble heroism and 
abundant loyalty of her soldiers on the field of Gettysburg. She offers 
now her tenderest tribute of reverence to the memory of her sons who 
fell there in defence of liberty and union. 

Geo. D. Robinson. 

The band played "Home. Sweet Home." Among the 
speakers was Colonel John B. Batchelder of Hyde Park, 
Mass., the Government Historian of the Battle of Gettys- 
burg, who described successively the movements of the 
Massachusetts organizations in the battle. The Memorial 
Association was represented by Mr. David H. Buckler, vice- 
president of the organization. At 5.30 the exercises closed 
with the singing of "My Country, 'tis of thee," and thus 
ended the dedicatory exercises of the Fifth Mass. Battery 
Monument at Gettysburg. In the words of Lieut. Edward 
M. Knox, wounded at Gettvsburg, in his address at the 



678 HISTORY OF THE 

dedication of the 15th N. Y. Ind. Battery, Hart's, July 2, 
1888:— 

"Stand here, oh block of granite 
Against all storms of time !" 

THE HIGH-WATER MARK. 

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Gettys- 
burg Battlefield Memorial Association May 10, 1891, the 
board approved the plan for a large tablet at the "Copse of 
Trees" or "High-Water Mark," at the position of the 
Second Corps, Hancock Avenue. This designation of 
"high-water mark" was applied by the historian William 
Swinton in his "Prelude to Gettysburg," 1867: — 

"Into this bunch of woods a few, — it may be a score or two, — of the 
boldest and bravest that led the van of Pickett's charging column on 
the 3d of July, 1863, attained. Thus far the swellinpf surge of invasion 
threw its spray, dashing itself to pieces on the rocky bulwark of North- 
ern valor. Let us call this the high-water mark of the rebellion." 

What is called the "bloody angle" was the angle made 
by Pickett's line crossing the two stone walls. At the 
northernmost crossing he was stopped. This was the "rocky 
bulwark" upon which the invasion dashed itself to pieces. 
The corner was held by Webb's Brigade of the Second 
Corps, July 3d, 1863. 

The inscription on the Right Hand Page of the bronze 
book is as follows : — 

"REPULSE OF LONGSTREET'S ASSAULT. 

Longstreet's assault was repulsed by Webb's, Hall's, and 
Harrow's Brigade of Gibbon's Division, Second Army 
Corps. 

Smyth's and Willard's Brigades, and portions of Carroll's 
Brigade of Hay's Division, Second Army Corps, and the 
First Massachusetts Sharpshooters (unattached). 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 679 

Portion of Rowley's and Stannard's Brigades of Double- 
day's Division, First Army Corps. 

Hazard's Second Army Corps Artillery Brigade consist- 
ing of Woodruff's, Arnold's, Cushing's, Brown's and 
Rorty's Batteries, assisted on the right by Hill's, Edgell's, 
Eakin's, Bancroft's, Dilger's, and Taft's Batteries on Ceme- 
tery Hill and on the left by 

Cowan's, Fitzhugh's, Parson's, Wheeler's, Thomas', 
Daniels' and Sterling's Batteries and McGilvery's Artillery 
Brigade, consisting of Thompson's, Phillips', Hart's, 
Cooper's, Dow's and Ames' Batteries, and by Hazlett's Bat- 
tery on Little Round Top and supported by Doubleday's 
Division of the First Army Corps, which was in position on 
the immediate left of the troops assaulted. 

The Third Army Corps moved up to within supporting 
distance on the left, and Robinson's Division of the First 
Army Corps moved into position to support the right." 

INSCRIPTION ON HIGH-WATER MARK TABLET. 
Left Hand Page: — 

"HIGH-WATER AIARK OF THE REBELLION. 

This copse of trees was the Landmark toward which 
Longstreet's Assault was Directed July 3, 1863." 

Then follow the names of the organizations composing 
the assaulting column in which were portions of 4 Divisions 
of Infantry, and 43 batteries of Artillery. 

IMPRESSIONS AFTER MANY YEARS. 

Captain Nathan Appleton, in a note dated Boston, Janu- 
ary 29, 1 90 1, observes in relation to the monuments : — 

''After the G. A. R. encampment at Philadelphia in Sep- 
tember, 1899, I made the trip to Gettysburg. I had but 
very little time; enough to see the monument of the Fifth 



680 HISTORY OF THE 

Mass. Battery, which was not far from that of the Ninth 
Mass. Before goin^ to them I stopped at the High-Water 
Mark Tablet, and saw the name of our Battery on one page 
of the bronze book. It was, of course, to me a very interest- 
ing occasion. I ordered of the photographer of the battle- 
field some photographs which were sent me, one of which 
is now with the other illustrations of the history of the 
Battery. I was sorry I had so little time to visit the historic 
field."' 

Of the Cemetery at Gettysburg Corporal Thomas E. 
Chase writes under date of September 24, 1900, soon after 
his visit : — 

"I visited the Cemetery at Gettysburg alone at five a. m., 
and stood by the graves of two of our Battery who fell 
there, and my thoughts went back to the day I saw them 
fall. There they sleep, in those acres of graves and monu- 
ments, 

'Nor couldst thou wish couch more magnificent-' 

'No rumor of the foe's advance, 
Now sweeps upon the wind, 
_ No troubled thought at midnight haunts. 
Of loved ones left behind.' " 



FROM GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 

On the Fourth of July, it was ascertained by a reconnois- 
sance that the confederate general Lee was still holding a 
strong position in the Centre of the line, behind his fortifi- 
cations on Seminary Ridge, and had wholly withdrawn 
from the front of the Right of the Army of the Potomac. 
He was slowly withdrawing his Left wing which menaced 
our Right. On the morning of July 5th our forces became 
aware that the rebels were in full retreat by the Fairfield 
and Chambersburg roads, and the Sixth Corps was ordered 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 681 

down the Fairfield road in pursuit of them while those mak- 
ing their way south by the Cashtown road and the mountain 
passes, were looked after by the Union cavalry. 

The Right flank of the Army of the Potomac crossed 
the Antietam on July 12th. The rebels abandoned Hagers- 
town as Meade came up, but were reported to be standing 
at bay, being strongly posted on the Hagerstown and Wil- 
liamspoTt road. That evening General Meade held a coun- 
cil of war on the subject of attack and decided in the 
negative, calling forth that shrewd remark, by telegraph, of 
General Halleck after having been informed of the pro- 
cedure. 

"It is proverbial that Councils of War never fight. . . . Do not 
let the enemy escape." 

July 13th in the night the enemy silently stole away across 
the Potomac River on their way back to Virginia and during 
the progress south of both armies they maintained an atti- 
tude of watchfulness towards and close proximity to our 
troops; an attitude which was preserved after each had 
reached the southernmost point for quite ten months with 
never a pitched battle, nor an encounter of more importance 
than the slight trouble at Manassas Gap where Lee's trains 
claimed for the moment the right of way and then once more 
stole away in the gloaming. 

When the Army of the Potomac moved across country 
to Williamsport, said to be in pursuit of the enemy, but 
acknowledged by all to be too far in the rear to be able to 
make up the time lost, overtake them and prevent their 
going wherever they felt inclined, Meade had no troops at 
his command which he could use to head them off; Wash- 
ington still requiring the same number for protection. Yet, 
although the army lacked the stimulus of a sure prospect 
of soon overtaking the flying foe, the future with its hope 
deferred cast no shadows before, and it is said that between 
the Antietam and Williamsport crossing the open country 



fiS2 HISTORY OF THE 

its columns produced one of those magnificent scenic effects 
so often described but so rarely seen, of a triumphant army 
moving in "battle array," each Corps, Division, Brigade 
and battery in line with colors flying and bayonets gleaming 
in the sun; in the centre moving on two parallel roads, the 
red artillery ready for instant action. 

The Army, like an immense glacier, swept everything 
before it, leaving nothing standing that it could conveniently 
convert into use for man or beast, tearing away every 
fence and wall, every stalk of ripe grain growing in the 
great fields. Desofation they le'ft behind them, and in their 
hearts as they approached once more the great river, the 
painful realization that there was nothing to which to look 
forward in the way of that decisive action, which was so 
earnestly desired to end the war, nothing but to march on. 

They crossed the Potomac at Berlin, taking the course 
down the east side of the Blue Ridge to Manassas Gap, 
and after a short stop and fight there pushed on by way of 
Warrenton to the Rappahannock River, having the rebel 
army abreast of them most of the time, till they all settled 
down on the banks of the rivers in the vicinity of Fredericks- 
burg. 

In the mean time the fires of southern invasion having 
been stamped out in Pennsylvania broke out more fiercely 
farther north. There was actual riot and the presence of 
concealed arms in the city of New York, and sufficient 
cause for anxiety in Boston to warrant the taking of pre- 
cautionary measures by the Governor of the Common- 
wealth. On July 14th, three days after the triumphant 
march across country, bound south, the New York Seventh 
Regiment then at Frederick City Md., was ordered to New 
York to report to Major-General Wool at the St. Nicholas 
Hotel, for the purpose of suppressing the riot. The situa- 
tion was so critical that the regiment was transported via 
Amboy, an intimation having been received that the rails 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 683 

would be taken up at or near Newark. There was a grow- 
ing discontent in the North with the methods of the leaders 
at Washington and at the headquarters of the Army, and 
this feeling was reflected in the rank and file of the Army 
to an alarming extent. It was reported that 5000 men 
deserted the Army of the Potomac between May and August, 
1863. Other offenses, such as insubordination, sleeping on 
post, robberies and murders of Comrades, officers, and civil- 
ians were tried before courts-martial, which were ordered 
to convene in every Division. The sentences for desertion 
when reviewed by the President were in most cases com- 
muted from orders for execution to hard labor for six 
months or two years, forfeiture of three months' pay, or 
making good the time lost by desertion. On July i6th the 
War Department issued the following order : — 

War r>EPARTMENT 

Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, July 16, 1863. 
General Orders 
No. 222 

The reward of five dollars, with transportation and reasonable ex- 
penses, for the arrest and delivery at the nearest military post or depot, 
of any officer or private soldier, fit for duty, who may be found absent 
from his command without just cause is hereby increased to ten dol- 
lars. 

By Order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. Townsend, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

Now let the ofBcers and men resume the story of the 
Battery :— 

THE MARCH BACK. 

July 4, 1863. Rainy. The Battery was ordered to the 
rear to unhitch and rest. Marched about 4 p. m. July 5th 
across the river to Littlestown having drawn 12 new horses. 
Abandoned two horses. Arrived about ten o'clock. Still 



6S4 HISTORY OF THE 

raining. Serg't Peacock wrote home : — "The mud is awful; 
everything wet through and no dry clothing. I hope the 
next fight will end the war." 

When the men hitched up on the 5th, it was supposed 
that the object was to find a better camp, but we found 
a worse one. Remained in camp at Littlestown all day 
and night. On the morning of the 7th we were turned 
out at 3 o'clock and left at 5 a. m. Marched toward 
Frederick, Md., by way of Taneytown, and camped for the 
night about 3 miles south of Woodboro. Passed through 
Littlestown, Taneytown, Woodboro, etc., and about ten 
o'clock turned off the road into a field and went into park 
at five yards intervals. Unhitched and unharnessed and 
fed with hay, watered, made coffee, and turned in for the 
night. Raining harcl. 

July 8, 1863. Morning. Raining tremendously. We 
had roll and water call, then looked out for ourselves. At 
10 a. m. orders came to hitch up, which after some growling 
we did in all the rain, and left for Frederick City, reaching 
our old camping ground of June 27th about noon. Pitched 
our tents and Intended stopping there for some time. 

ONE OF THE W^OUNDED. 

From Corporal Chase's Diary: — "July 8, 1863. My arm 
doing very well. Boiled meat and broth for dinner; beef 
tea instead of coffee or tea for supper. Weather cool and 
comfortable. 

July 9. Packed up, and all those who were able walked 
to Gettysburg to await transportation. Arrived at Get- 
tysburg about 10 a. m. Saw about 100 rebel prison- 
ers. Received refreshments from the Christian Commis- 
.sion. The people are all very kind, and welcomed us 
heartily. Left Gettysburg at 5 p. m. A very long train 
of cars loaded to their utmost with every form of mutilated 
humanity. Left on the Hanover Branch of the Northern 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 685 

Central R. R., passed through Little Oxford, Hanover, and 
Rock Glen. Weather very warm [). m. About thirteen car 
loads of wounded soldiers in the train. Many citizens 
aboard who had been up to see the field! 

July lo, 1863. On the railroad all last night, no sleep. 
Arrived in Baltimore just at sunrise. Cars halted in the 
street for about three hours, and were pulled by horses 
through Central Avenue. We finally halted and had a 
plentiful supply of refreshments, — bread, meat, cofYee, 
lemonade, etc., and then proceeded to the Vol. Citizens Hos- 
pital, near Union dock. West's Imilding, where we had dur 
wounds dressed. Left the hospital about i p. m., and took 
cars for Philadelphia. Left Baltimore about 3 p. m. Fell in 
with the 5th Del. Reg't. at Havre de Grace. Heartily wel- 
comed and very kindly treated by the people on the route. 
Refreshments quite abundant, and even the little boys as busy 
as beavers filling our canteens. The people of Wilmington 
Del., gave us a very enthusiastic welcome; coming out liber- 
ally with refreshments and kind words and deeds. Train 
drove at a furious rate, and reached Philadelphia at half- 
past ten p. m. Went into the Citizens Vol. Hospital just 
in front of the depot, and were provided with a good 
supper and a comfortable bed. Quite a pleasant ride today. 
Weather warm but not uncomfortable. 

July II, 1863. A comfortable night's rest last night, 
a good breakfast of soup, flour bread, butter, and coffee 
this morning. Left the Citizens Volunteer Hospital abt)Ut 
I p. m., and went to the U. S. A. General Hospital, — 'Sum- 
mit' house, — on the Darby road. Took bed 14 in the ist 
Ward. Took a bath, changed all my 'sojer' clothes for the 
ghostly garb of an invalid. 'Ward One' intended for 87 
beds, Imt 'business' is so 'driving' that about 100 were 
crowded in. The whole number of patients in the entire 
hospital 650 tonight, one hundred more than the hospital is 
intended to accommodate. Weather very warm. 



686 HISTORY OF THE 

July 12, 1863. Sunday. 'Brushed up,' and obtained a 
'pass' until 9 p. m. Left after dinner and took a walk around 
'the suburbs,' and returned just at tea time. A comfortable 
night's rest on a comfortable bed last night. Weather to- 
day warm. My wound doing very well. 

July 13. In quarters all day. Wrote three letters. 
Weather cool, cloudy, and comfortable. 

July 14. Obtained a 'pass' and went to the city a. m. 
with W. H. Shrove of the 12th U. S. I. and Morris Clark 
40th New York. Went through the city from the Schuyl- 
kill to the Delaware, and passed through some of the prin- 
cipal streets. The people treated us like heroes, and our 
trip was a pleasant one. Returned to Summit House about 
5 P- m. 

News of a great riot in New York City. 

July 15, 1863. News this morning of the fall of Port 
Hudson. Remained in quarters all day. 

July 16. Took a walk about two miles on the Darby 
road p. m. All the patients allowed a 'pass' until 5 p. m. 
same as yesterday. 

July 20, 1863. Obtained a 'pass' and went to the city 
about 10 a. m., returned about half past 5 p. m. Visited 
Independence Hall, and was very much interested in the 
antiquities there. Bought a blouse for $3.25 and a cap for 
$1.12. Weather very fine. 

July 2 1 St. In quarters all day. Sent a recommendatitii 
for a furlough. 22d. Received a furlough for 15 days. 

July 23. Went to the New England Association Rooms 
and obtained transportation to New York. Left Phila- 
delphia at II a. m. and arrived in New York at 2 p. m. 
Procured transportation to Boston by the Stonington line 
from U. S. Quartermaster. Left New York in the steamer 
'Commonwealth' at 5 p. m. A very smooth passage 
through the sound. Berth 164. 

July 24, 1863. Arrived in Roxbury at 6 a. m." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 687 

Corporal Chase was sent from Philadelphia to the con- 
valescent camp near Alexandria, \'a., and later was placed 
on detached duty there when it was made a camp of distri- 
bution, and remained on duty there until discharged at the 
expiration of his term of service, December 14, 1864. 

THE CAMP AT FREDERICK CITY. 

July 9, 1863. Ordered to hitch up this morning at 7 
a. m. Got into column. Marched at 12 o'clock throug-h 
Frederick City on to Boonsboro' and a mile beyond where 
we found ourselves outside the picket lines; came back and 
went into park half a mile this side, at the foot of South 
Mountain Pass. It being 7 o'clock in the evening we 
watered, fed with hay and turned in. Most of the Army 
was in our vicinity. 

On the loth the Battery was ordered to join the Artillery 
Brigade of the Fifth Corps, commanded by Captain Augus- 
tus P. Martin. 

Turned out at daylight, fed the horses and hitched up. 
Marched at 8 a. m. and overtook the Corps at Delaware 
Mills on the Williamsport road. Came up and went into 
line at 2 p. m. Parked just across Antietam Creek. Third 
I\Iass. Battery in position 58 yards in our front. No firing 
occurred here during the day, but firing was heard about 
1 1 on our right. Marched to Roxbury Mills at 4 p. m. 

July II, 1863, the Fifth Corps formed line of battle and 
advanced in line across the fields about a mile (see p. 682 
"In Battle Array"), and threw out skirmishers, but finding 
no Rebs made short advances and long halts during the 
day. When the Fifth Corps formed in line and we left 
park at 8 a. m., w^e took position on the right of our old 
position, about one mile, on a line with the Third Mass. 
Battery. Not having fired a gun we left here about 3 p. m., 
and advanced with the Corps 3^ miles. \Yt then took 
another position, unharnessed, fed with clover and turned 
in. The morning of July 12th was misty. We left park 



688 HISTORY OF THE 

about II o'clock a. m., advanced about a mile, were then 
moved by the left flank a mile or two, and halted in a 
large field. It rained in torrents for an hour while we 
stopped. While in the field we took on some grain. Soon 
after started again, and went into park for the night. 
Unharnessed, then went foraging for the horses. We are 
all badly fatigued, with our marches and battles. Since 
the 13th of June, (1863) we had marched two hundred 
miles, much of the way over bad mountain roads, and have 
had rainy weather nearly one-third of the time. 

July 13, 1863. The Rebs are reported to be evacuating, 
but we are not doing anything to find out. Turned out 
this morning at 2 o'clock. No breakfast for the men. 
Captain awfully angry. Left and took position at day- 
light a little farther tO' the right in an open lot, rather ex- 
posed. Hon. Henry Wilson came along. No firing oc- 
curred during the day. One wounded horse abandoned. 
At night we unharnessed, watered, cleaned and fed; thea 
turned in. Commenced raining about 8-J p. m. ; continued 
to do so at intervals through the night. The next day at 
noon we advanced to near Falling Water, i^ miles of 
Downsville within the enemy's lines and drew up into line. 
Finding no enemy went into park and made ourselves com- 
fortable for the night. General Lee had crossed the river 
early that morning. 

July 15th we turned out at half past three a. m. and left 
at 4. Marched all day, through Keedysville, crossed South 
Mountain by the Middletown pike, returning over the same 
road we travelled the day before. Passed through Deacons- 
ville and over the mountains into Middletown valley, and 
about 5 o'clock went into park near Burkittsville. Watered 
and went after hay, then fed and cleaned off. After a while 
we eat supper and turned in for the night. A very hard 
day's work. Abandoned six horses. 

July 16. Aroused about half past three and got started 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 680 

about five, then marched about 5I miles through Middle- 
town and Burkittsville to one mile from Berlin, Md., and 
within about four miles of Harper's Ferry. Here we made 
camp, pitched tents, etc. Horses pretty well played out. 
Officers and men pretty tired. 

Harnessed up about 4 o'clock p. m. on Friday, July 17th. 
Left park, crossed the Potomac with the Fifth Corps, and 
encamped a mile or so from the river at Lovettsville. River 
high. Seventy-three pontoons in the bridge. The entire 
Army crossed in three columns, which from the high 
ground on either side presented an imposing array. Halted 
for the night at Lovettsville. 

July i8th we turned out at 2^ a. m. and left soon after. 
Marched about 9 miles, through Bowlersville. and went into 
camp at 11 a. m. near Wheatland, and pitched our tents. 
Twenty-five horses were brought up by a squad of men left 
behind at Berlin, which made a welcome addition to our 
number. Some of the teams had to be cut down to four 
horses at this time, and the sergeants were dismounted. 
We were marching very rapidly. Fifteen miles a day was 
called good marching, but during this campaign we had 
marched fifty miles in forty-three hours. 

REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. : 

Hd. Ors. Battery E, 

Mass. Art'y, 

July 18, 1863. 

In compliance with circular of July i6th from Inspector 
GenTs Office A. P., I respectfully report: — 

Present July i6th, 4 officers, 99 men. 

Lost, Battle of Gettysburg, i officer wounded, 4 men 
killed, 16 wounded, horses killed 40, wounded and since 
died and abandoned 9. 

My Ordnance requisition in possession of Lieut. FoUett 



690 HISTORY OF THE 

Ord. Off. gives all the ordnance required absolutely neces- 
sary, 4 sets Lead Harness. 

On hand, loi serviceable art'y horses, 12 quartermaster 
horses, 3 four horse wagons, 13 unserviceable art'y horses, 
mostly v^ounded. 

Charles A. Phillips^ 

Capt. Battery E. 

Mass. Art'y. 

REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Hd. Quarters Battery E, 

Mass. Art'y., 

July 18, 1863. 
Lieut. P. F. Nason, A. A. A. G. 
Lieutenant. 
In compliance with circular of July 17th Hd. Ors. A. P., 
I respectfully report my men in good physical condition, 
there being only one case of sickness, and that slight. 

I have loi good serviceable artillery horses, and am in 
good condition for a march. 

I am very Respectfully 

Your ob't. serv't, 

Charles A. Phillips, Capt., 

Battery E, Mass. Art'y. 



Sunday, July 19, 1863. Turned out at 3 o'clock a. m., 
hitched up and started about 6. Marched with the Fifth 
Corps through and 4 miles beyond Unionville, and went 
into camp at ten o'clock near Purcellsville. Turned in 
about 8 p. m. Corporal Shackley recorded his opinion on 
this day that — 'Tt was a great mistake that we did not 
attack the Rebs on Monday (July 6), for I believe we 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 691 

should have destroyed Lee's army. But perhaps it is all for 
the best, though it is hard to think so." 

July 20. Marched at sunrise, passed Watson's Mills, 
Valley Mills, Uniontown, Greenville Mills, and parked near 
Rectortown on a hill. 

July 21. Received 10 men from Battery D, 5th U. S. 
Artillery. The next day inspection was ordered for 2.30 
p. m.. and harnesses and carriages were washed, but at 
12 m. we had orders to pack up, and in 50 minutes we were 
on the road. Marched to near Rectortown over good roads. 
Blackberries very thick. Went into camp for the night. 
Some of the men had fried confiscated sheep for supper. 

RETURNS OF BATTERY E, MASS. ART'Y, JULY 

22, 1863. 

Number of men on the rolls 117 

" " present 86 

" required to fill the Battery 30 

Number of men temporarily attached from loth 

N. Y. Ind'p't Battery 17 

" present 14 

Number of men temporarily attached from vari- 
ous regiments 10 

" present 10 

Charles A. Phillips, Capt. 

Battery E, Mass. Art'y. 



THE FIGHT AT MANASSAS GAP. 

July 23, 1863, we left Rectortown with the Fifth Corps 
at 5 a. m., passed through Piedmont and by a station on 
the Manassas railroad and went into camp at 3 o'clock in 
Manassas Gap for the night. The roads were rocky and 
very bad. Wagons were left behind. The Third Corps 



692 HISTORY OF THE 

was ahead of us. There was some fighting in the distance, 
and we stood watching the infantry manoeuvre with the 
enemy. In about an hour we moved ahead about 200 
yards, unharnessed and lay down under the open canopy 
of heaven and went to sleep. Two horses were abandoned. 

The next day we advanced about one mile into the Gap, 
and went into line with the expectation of fighting, but 
after some hours' delay, returned to our last halting place 
for the night. Saw seven dead of the enemy. 

On the 25th we left the Gap at 4 a. m., turned to the 
right, passed over the mountains and went back to a place 
called Orleans, on the way to Warrenton via Farrelsville 
and Barbour's Cross Roads. Here we encamped again for 
the night having made about 15 miles. A caisson in Lieut. 
Rittenhouse's Battery blew up ahead of us. (This was Bat- 
tery D, 5th U. S.) 

July 26th. Marched through Orleans to within three 
miles of Warrenton, and went into camp to stop all night. 
During the week we had passed over many miles of road 
bordered by blackberry bushes, loaded with most delicious 
berries, which were better than medicine for the men. 
Abandoned two horses. 

July 2y. Called up at 3.30 a. m. The men made coffee, 
fried steak, eat breakfast and then marched about 5 miles 
through Warrenton to about three miles beyond, and 
camped. Abandoned 2 horses, turned in eight. Here we 
received many supplies which we much needed. (In Julv, 
1863, Monocacy Junction, Md. was made the grand depot 
for the Army of the Potomac.) 

July 28th. Routed out again about the usual hour. Had 
fried fresh pork for breakfast and went blackberrying. Re- 
mained in camp in a large field surrounded by the 5 bat- 
teries of the Art'y Brigade until Aug. 3d. Weather very 
hot. Received 25 horses July 30. The men had stewed 
beans for dinner. About this time a subscription was made 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 693 

and some brass musical instruments were procured, and a 
few of the men practised under the leadership of Bugler 
James Winters. Lack of facilities, however, prevented the 
attainment of any important results. It was on July 31st 
that the brass instruments for the Band came to the Battery. 
On that day Lieut. Scott, absent on leave at Newport, R. L, 
made the following entry in his diary : — 

"Friday, July 31, 1863. Lieut. Lull discharged to receive 
a captain's commission in Heavy Artillery. 

Officers of Battery (Fifth Mass.) 

Phillips, Captain. 

Scott Lieut. 1st Senior. 

Blake " '' Junior. 

Spear " 2d Senior. 

Appleton " " Junior." 

LIEUT. FREDERICK A. LULL. 

Lieut. Frederick A. Lull became captain of Company K, 
Second Mass. Heavy Artillery, which had just been re- 
cruited, July 31, 1863, and on December 15, 1863, Serg't. 
Otis B. Smith, having been discharged for promotion, was 
commissioned First Lieutenant in the same company, serv- 
ing at various points in Virginia and North Carolina. 

Captain Lull died in Cambridge, Mass. March 22, 1893, 
and is buried in the Cambridge Cemetery. 



There was a Battery inspection August 2, 1863, in the 
forenoon. On Sunday the 3d, we, with the Artillery 
Brigade hitched up and moved camp a little to the left of 
our old position. Weather very hot. All busy fitting up 
camp, building arbors and stables, preparing for a long 
stay, but at night marching orders came, and we marched 
till one o'clock the next morning, and went into camp, but 
moved it later in the day to a place selected for us by 



694 HISTORY OF THE 

Captain A. P. Martin about 4 miles from Bealton, which 
we laid out in good style, putting up an arbor over the 
street between the tents. Soft bread for supper. 

August 7, 1863, there was a heavy rain and our arbor 
fell in about half past six o'clock p. m. and smashed in all 
the tents on the lower side. Private John E. Dyer being in 
one it came near smashing him. Three beams fell on him. 

August 8, 1863, we were turned out in the morning by 
the welcome sound of pack up and hitch up. Without any 
hurry we broke camp at 7 a. m., and left at the head of the 
line of batteries. Marched to Beverly Ford to guard the 
crossing of the Rappahannock River where the 2d Division 
had been for three days. We took position on the banks 
of the river; four of the pieces, the Right and Centre sec- 
tions, in breastworks. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE BATTLE OF RAPPAHANNOCK STATION. 

By Way of 
The Fight at Bristoe^ November 7, 1863. 

"For we shall still find Hope shining, be it for fond invitation, be 
it for anger and menace; as a mild, heavenly light it shone; as a red 
conflagration it shines ; . . . and goes not out at all, since Desperation 
itself is a kind of Hope." 

— Thomas Carlyle. 

Thus the opposing armies gradually settled down in their 
various positions assuming an attitude of mutual watchful- 
ness. All along the line of the Orange and Alexandria 
Railroad, and on the north bank of the Rappahannock, lay 
the Union army, the Fifth Corps in a position to control 
Beverly Ford. Their opponents were stationed at Kelly's 
Ford on the Rappahannock; in the neighborhood of 
Stephensburg and Culpeper, with a large force at Madison 
Court House and at Gordonsville the junction of the Orange 
and Alexandria and the Virginia Central Railroad; a Divi- 
sion of cavalry at Chancellorsville; an infantry Brigade 
and a Battery of artillery at Fredericksburg. 

There was discontent, discouragement, and dissatisfaction 
in both armies, and disagreement, disparagement, doubt and 
recrimination among the chiefs in the councils on both sides. 
The President of the United States having been informed 
that a portion of the rebel army had been detached and sent 
to Tennessee, urged upon General Halleck an immediate 
move upon Lee's forces by the Army of the Potomac. 

695 



696 HISTORY OF THE 

Notes and Letters of Captain Charles A. Phillips, Lieuts. 
Henry D. Scott, Peleg W. Blake and Nathan Appleton, 
Sergt. William H. Peacock, Corp'l Jonas Shackley, Privates 
John E. Dyer and Louis E. Pattison. 



August 9, 1863, on the banks of the Rappahannock at 
Beverly Ford. The horses of the Battery were grazing for 
three quarters of an hour in the morning and the men eat 
soft tack and apple sauce for supper. The pontoon bridge, 
which was laid the previous day for a Brigade of the Second 
Division of the First Corps to cross the river, was taken up, 
the Brigade having returned. The enemy's cavalry pickets 
were in the woods on the other side. 

August loth, in the morning there was a short drill on 
the manual of the piece. Four of the guns were in earth- 
works erected two months previous, but the other two were 
unprotected. From the hill on which the Battery was en- 
camped, about half a mile below the head of the Rappahan- 
nock River they could see for a mile beyond the river's 
bank, and catch a glimpse occasionally of the enemy's cavalry 
pickets in the edge of the woods. They were on one of 
General Pope's battlegrounds, and there were no trees to 
shade the camp. The heat through the day was intense, but 
the nights were cool, and there was a heavy dew which did 
not disappear before 7 o'clock a. m. Flies and mosquitoes 
were not as thick as at Harrison's Landing, but numberless 
grasshoppers and crickets hopped about cheerfully by day. 
and crept over the sleepers by night. 

August 1 2th it rained, and Dyer went down to Ben. 
West's wagon to sleep, as the water ran under his tent in a 
steady stream. 

August 1 6th and 17th, 1863, the Battery was inspected 
by Captain Augustus P. Martin and staff in an adjoining 
field, after which they drilled some in his presence. There 
was a fine breeze at i p. m. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 697 

LETTER OF LIEUT. BLAKE. 

"Beverly Ford, Rappahannock River, 

Aug. 1 6, 1863. 

Pickets are being thrown across the river today. The 
Second Army Corps has started for Washington. . . . We 
are under marching orders. Three days' rations cooked, to 
be kept on hand. It is very hot weather here, but I manage 
to keep quite comfortable by keeping in the shade and doing 
nothing but sleeping and smoking. 

How do the drafted like their new occupation? Have 
they all got substitutes? There \\erc three hundred con- 
scripts came into our Corps last week. Out of the three 
hundred, two hundred and ninety-nine were substitutes. 
One drafted man! There is not much raised in this coun- 
try, and it is very rough on an army that has to depend on 
what they can forage, when there is nothing to forage." 



We had Battery drill now every day. In a letter by Cap 
tain Phillips, dated August 20, 1863, speaking of the in- 
spection of the 17th, he said: — 

"While I was waiting for Captain Martin, Gen. Sykes 
rode by and put me through an informal inspection. 1 
think however, that we can stand being looked at, and 1 
am willing to stand a comparison with any other battery 
in the army. 

I am happy to state that there is a cornfield close by, and 
we can have an occasional meal of green corn as well as 

you. 

We have a table to eat on. and when this is set off by our 
table cloth, cups and saucers, we really look quite civilized. 

Blackberries are among the things that were. Our great 
luxury nowadays is a swim in the Rappahannock, albeit it 
is outside the picket lines." 



698 HISTORY OF THE 

LETTER OF SERG'T. PEACOCK. 

Camp at Beverly Ford, Va. 

Aug. 20, 1863. 
"We had a hard time of it on our march from Gettysburg 
to Warrenton; over 50 horses dead on the road, mostly 
from exhaustion, and from the time we left Falmouth, June 
13th tO' our arrival at this place, we lost over one hundred 
horses, 7 men killed, and 15 wounded, with many left sick 
at hospitals, and on the road. Our Battery here is behind 
breastworks, guarding the Ford, but we are under marching 
orders, and expect to move at any moment. It is reported 
the enemy is falling back." 



Aug. 21, 1863, William F. Nye came to camp with a few 
stores, and Lieut. F. A. Lull left, to be captain of another 
battery. 24th, Joseph Alton came back from the Hospital. 
27th, Three of the old men and one recruit arrived at the 
Battery. 28th was the anniversary of 2d Bull Run. 29th, 
Five deserters were shot, and the Fifth Corps was paraded 
to witness the execution. [They were said to have deserted 
from the ii8th Pennsylvania Regiment, but Lieut.-Col. 
William H. Powell, historian of the Fifth Corps, is authority 
for saying that although assigned to it they had never joined 
any regiment, so that that organization should not have the 
obloquy forever attached to it. It was said that one of them 
had enlisted 12 times.] On the same day three hundred 
conscripts arrived from the District of Columbia, and it was 
thought, the weather being good for marching, that the 
army was waiting for the required number of conscripts to 
arrive. 

August 31, 1863, Second Lieutenant Nathan Appleton 
arrived from Boston in the evening, and joined the Battery. 
Dyer's Diary mentions him as "a new lieutenant." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. G99 

LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER HOME. 

"Camp by Beverly Ford, 

Sept. I, 1863. 

Tuesday Morning. 

Here I am, at last, actually a soldier in camp. I hoped to 
get here by last Saturday, but my horses only got in Wash- 
ington then, so that I waited until Monday to start for the 
front. The time was passed in Washington quite pleas- 
antly. I met one or two classmates, saw the Abercrombies, 
dined one day with Pelham Curtis at the Engineer Brigade, 
loafed around town, etc. 

Early yesterday morning I left Washington with horses, 
man, and baggage, en route for camp. Such confusion as a 
government railroad is! I got down as far as Warrenton 
Junction all right, having bade good bye to Locklyn, who 
brought the horses on from Boston, at Alexandria, and there 
I was told that I could not get my horses on any farther. I 
sent my trunk on to Bealton. Joe, my colored servant, and 
myself mounted our steeds and proceeded to find our way 
to camp. 

The country around showed the devastations of war. 
Dead horses and mules, the remains of burnt cars, broken 
wagons, &c. &c., occasionally meeting the view. We fol- 
lowed up the railroad as far as Bealton, and there struck out 
for the camp of the Fifth Mass. Battery. We rode along 
until finally I came up to the Head Quarters of General 
George Sykes commanding the Fifth Corps, who directed 
me to the Battery. I found it without difficulty, and ap- 
peared there just before sundown, as the officers were sitting 
down to tea. I soon made myself at home. My first night 
was passed on the ground in the Captain's tent, with a goodly 
array of blankets, coats, etc., both above and below me. I 
awoke feeling perfectly well, no chills, no rheumatism, or 
anything disagreeable. I had to put my section (two guns, 



700 HISTORY OF THE 

since 1873 called a "platoon") through the manual of the 
piece this morning, which you can imagine I did in style. 

Afternoon: Rode over and saw George Barnard (captain 
in the i8th Mass. Regt. on Gen. Charles Griffin's staff) this 
morning. Saw General Barnes, Colonel Hayes, Captain 
Martin and other birds. 

Our Battery is situated right on the Rappahannock River 
a little above Beverly Ford, and where the river is divided 
into two branches. The country all about is beautiful, and 
the weather, thus far, delightful; warm and sunny during 
the day, but cold and almost frosty in the night. It is get- 
ting autumnal very fast. The whole army is in very quiet 
and comfortable quarters, and looks as if it might remain 
so for some time, though we are now under orders to be in 
readiness for any movement. The Confeds. are somewhere 
over the river. You had better send any little things that 
you may want to, by mail. Letters and any kind of news- 
papers are acceptable. I should like a Boston paper once a 
week at least. 

I wish you would send me a pair of wash leather or com- 
mon thin buckskin gloves, not gauntlets. I ought to have 
bought a pair. 

September 3, 1863. Officer of the day for the first time. 
Got through tolerably well." 

NOTES OF CAPT. NATHAN APPLETON. 

March 12, 1901. 

"When I joined the Fifth Massachusetts Battery I was 
twenty and a half years old, which seems to us now very 
like a boy. I was just out of Harvard, as my good mother 
said i could not join the army until I had completed my col- 
legiate education. I tried not to put on any airs, but simply 
to do my duty as a good boy, and I think I then was a very 
good one. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 701 

As I look back now after nearly thirty-eight years of an 
extremely varied life in many parts of the world, I can think 
of nothing that gives me a greater thrill and tingle of youth 
than the recollection of a battery drill when I was a chief of 
section. 

The Battery had six pieces and six caissons, each with 
six horses. I can see the guidon rushing over the field to 
take his proper place as the order was given ! I can hear the 
clarion notes of the buglers, and the commands of the cap- 
tain, Charles Appleton Phillips, than whom there was no 
braver, or more intrepid artillery officer or soldier in the 
army. 

When the Battery was in line and limbered, the orders 
might be 'Forward, march!' — 'Halt!' — 'Action Front!' 
when the pieces would be unlimbered, and go through the 
drill of the piece. After that they would be limbered either 
to the front or rear for some other manoeuvres. A favorite 
one was 'Countermarch, march !' The order from the Cap- 
tain would be repeated with saljre in the air, by the chief of 
section. There were a good many evolutions of changing 
front which Captain Phillips liked to execute. 

I had two good horses, one of them exceptionally hand- 
some and spirited, but with a light mouth and easy to han- 
dle. There was no assemblage of lookers on, as about fif- 
teen years later, when I was captain of the famous Battery 
A of the Militia of Massachusetts I had on Boston Common 
and at the camp at Framingham, of fair ladies and apprecia- 
tive urchins, but in Virginia we felt and knew we were there 
for a purpose, and we seemed to have the whole country for 
our field of manoeuvres, that is to say from the great rivers 
on the east, to the Blue Ridge and the Alleghanies, and so 
down south to Richmond which was always our objective 
point." 



Sept. 2, 1863. Wm. F. Nye arrived in the afternoon with 



702 HISTORY OF THE 

a load of sutlers' stores, — apples, potatoes, butter, ale, etc. 
Conscripts continued to come, and the number was estimated 
at 2000, designed to fill out<the Regular Infantry then in 
New York, where they were sent to quell the riot. 

Sept. 3. Captain Phillips wrote home with relation to 
Lieut. Appleton : — "he is gradually breaking in. I am very 
well pleased with him, and think he will make a good officer. 
Captain Martin is trying to get permission to have some tar- 
get shooting. I went out with him yesterday to measure off 
the ground." 

LETTER HOME OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"September 4, 1863. 

I write you on some paper which I bought the other day 
at Alexandria. I got it for the sake^ a map of the country 
which came with it, the whole done up in a sort of combina- 
tion portfolio arrangement. 

I am getting now quite acclimated, and feel more at home 
in my work. At first I felt very avv^kward and green. The 
men are all very well drilled, and well-disposed fellows gen- 
erally. We have Battery drill every other day, and then I 
have to take charge of the Centre section. Drill at the man- 
ual of the piece every day, and occasional drills in harnessing 
the horses. There is a good deal of pleasant variety in the 
duties of a Battery; attending stable calls, taking the horses 
to the river to be watered &c. When I am officer of the day 
I get up at five, — other days at six. We live sumptuously. 
Nice meat and vegetables for dinner, with a good pudding. 
We have three dogs belonging to the Battery, one funny lit- 
tle fellow named 'Dixie,' captured in a house in Chancel- 
lorsville. The horses, also, are well. 'Folko' is much ad- 
mired. They are rapidly getting used to bivouacking out 
in the open air. I rode over this morning and saw Inman 
Barnard, (For many years the right hand man of James 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 703 

Gordon Bennett in Paris,) who has come out to stay with 
his hrother, Captain George M. Barnard Jr. 

Went to the camp of the i8th Mass. and saw Weston 
(George Fiske Weston, Harvard class of i860, died of 
wounds received at Rappahannock Station) and also Colonel 
Sherwin of the 22d. Plenty of good fellows all around us. 
They are trying to get a permit for all the batteries to have 
some target practice. My friend Stephen H. Phillips, who 
was in Washington the other day, came out yesterday even- 
ing to pay his brother a visit. He is here now, — going 
home tomorrow. He said that he came along from Alexan- 
dria in the cars with Colonel Theodore Lyman who was 
going out to take his place on General Meade's staff. A 
good paper to send me is the 'Gazette,' as it has the week's 
news, including that of society in Boston. As for any 
news, we hear little of it here, and don't care much, though 
we get plenty of Philadelphia and Washington papers." 



September 4th. Nye started for Washington. 

September 5th a party of officers including those at Di- 
vision Head Quarters, who came to return the call of the 
day before, rode over to Sulphur Springs. They found that 
the Hotel had been burned by the rebels, but they drank the 
water and had a most delightful ride. Captain Phillips and 
his brother were of the party, also Lieuts. Blake and Apple- 
ton. There was no drill that day. The ammunition was 
overhauled and harnesses cleaned. 

APPLETON'S ACCOUNT OF THE RIDE. 

"We went over to one of the White Sulphur Springs iu 
Fauquier county, which you can see on the map is about mid- 
way on a straight line from Rappahannock Station to War- 
renton. It must have been a great resort for the young 
F. F. V.s, male and female, a few years ago. The ruins of a 



T04 HISTORY OF THE 

very large Hotel are there; burnt by the rebs about a year 
ago. Tall pillars are still standing, with saloons, pavilions, 
outhouses, fountains &c. in great profusion. The water was 
decidedly sulphurous. General Birney was there with a 
good many troops. On the way there we stopped a few 
moments at the camp of the i6th Mass. and saw some of the 
officers; among them Lieut. Col. Waldo Merriam then in 
command. (Killed May 12, 1864, at Spottsylvania.) On 
the way home we fell in with a Brigade review, and noticed 
the tattered flags of two Massachusetts regiments. It was 
a delightful afternoon, — cutting across the fields and roads 
of old Virginia, — sojers on all sides till you can't rest. 
Please enclose in your next letter a few labels for me to sew 
on things. I keep getting blankets, and so I want a few 
more labels. I am officer of the day, and have to go with the 
horses to be watered in a few moments; attend feed call; 
stable call at five, guard mounting later, — which is a sort of 
dress parade, — and then my duties are over for another two 
days. There is a funny darkey a few yards from camp, 
who lives in a log hut. His 'Missis' is about three miles 
away, one of the Virginia Carters, and he is quite independ- 
ent^ cultivating a little patch of ground. His daughter does 
washing for us. (This shows that the Virginia Carters 
who have been immortalized since the war by the popular 
story 'Colonel Carter of Cartersville,' by F. Hopkinson 
Smith were then a reality. — T, George Fairfax Caarter of 
Caarters Hall, Caartersville, Virginia, Late Colonel C. S. 
A.' etc. etc.) 

I send you a piece of real Confederate money, a two dollar 
bill, which I got from him the other day." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Beverly Ford, 

Sunday, Sept. 6, 1863. 
I should think foreign nations by this time would begin 



FIFTH yLlSS. BATTERY. 705 

to appreciate the improvements we have been making in ar- 
tillery. It was an unprecedented thing when we breached 
Fort Pulaski at 1650 yards, but now we have breached Sum- 
ter at twice that distance, and thrown shell five miles. There 
is very little doubt that in Ordnance, both rifled and smooth- 
bore, we are ahead of the world. I want to see a further 
trial of the 15 inch guns. There is a great cry now for put- 
ting rifled 100 and 200 pdrs. in their places. I am not at ail 
inclined to fall in with this; for long ranges and for breach- 
ing stone walls a rifled shot is undoubtedly the best, but the 
motion of a vessel in a sea way is suflicient to prevent accu- 
racy at long ranges. A vessel must force the fighting at 
short range, where the greater weight and velocity of the 
round ball gives it an advantage. The proper place for iron 
clads is against other iron clads, not against stone walls. 
For this purpose I think it is the battering power we want, 
not the punching power, English ideas to the contrary not- 
withstanding. The fifteen inch shot has only been tried 
once against an iron clad — the 'Atalanta' — and three shots 
spoiled her, while the heaviest rifled shots from Fort Sum- 
ter have not seriouslv damaged our monitors. Indeed some 
of the accounts mention the 1 1 inch smooth bores from the 
'Keokuk' as the most formidable guns the rebels had in Fort 
Sumter." 

Appleton's Letter of September 6th : — "We have just had 
our Sunday morning inspection, which is quite a big afifair. 
Ofticers, men, horses, guns, and everything, are all cleaned 
up on Saturday, and on Sunday morning in full rig are in- 
spected by the Captain, or sometimes by the Brigade com- 
mander.'^ 

In a list of things wanted sent to him by Lieut. Appleton 
may be found the following besides wearing apparel viz. 
''A photograph album, a mirror about 8 inches, stand up at 
45°, a riding whip, boot jack, mucilage or glue, hanging 
v.atch-case, pocket calendar, cigar case, 'Old Farmer's Al- 



706 HISTORY OF THE 

manac,' camp chair, chocolate, dressing case, buffalo robe." 
Appleton's Diary continued: "September "th we went off 
about four miles to try target practice with Rittenhouse's 
Battery of Regulars. I was introduced to Captain William 
Jay. Called at the picket line on Weston and Captain Dal- 
las. We found by this day's practice that the table of firing 
was not correct. A Corps review was going on when we 
were firing." 



At the target shooting on September 7th we fired 6 rounds 
from each piece at ranges from 800 to 2600 yards. 

On the 8th, we had drill on the manual of the piece in the 
forenoon, and in the afternoon Martin's Battery in command 
of Lieut. Walcott and Captain Gibbs' Battery (ist Ohio 
Light Battery L) went target shooting, and some of us 
looked on. The tents arrived. 

MORE TARGET PRACTICE. 

Sept. 9th we went over again and fired five rounds. Made 
some good shots. This time Battery C, ist N. Y. Lieut. 
Clark, commanding, was with us. Clog dancing and sing- 
ing at Head Quarters in the evening. Joe Clarke, a mem- 
ber of the Battery, was a great clog-dancer. This day Wm. 
F. Nye arrived with peaches and other stuff, so did our 
licensed Battery sutler. 

On a fly leaf of Appleton's Diary it is stated that in the 
target practice at Beverly Ford September 7th and 9th, 
1863, 3 inch guns were used with Schenkle case shot, com- 
bination fuze, and in a letter dated September 14th, Captain 
Phillips thus describes the targets : — "We have been out tar- 
get shooting this last week, being allowed ten shots to each 
gun. Our targ-ets were posted at distances of 850, 1266, 
1400, 1600, 1700, and 2600 yards. The target at 850 yds. 
was a little log house, which was pretty well knocked to 
pieces before we got through with it. The target at 1400 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 707 

yds. was hit twice by bullets from the shrapnell. and 15 
claimed by Battery C, ist N. Y. and by us. The target at 
1700 yds. was hit once by us. These targets were pieces of 
cloth about 4 feet square, held up by two stakes. When we 
fired at the 1700 yd. target one stake had fallen down, and 
the mark was a good deal smaller than a man. We call it 
pretty good shooting to hit that a mile off. I believe we did 
the best shooting, and the regular battery the poorest. So 
much for regulars vs. volunteers." 

FROM APPLETON'S LETTERS OF SEPT. qth 

xA.ND I2TH. 

'T intended to begin this epistle last evening after 'Taps.' 
but we had lots of clog-dancing, singing, &c. in camp, and 
the evening vanished. The darkey part of the establish- 
ment consists of Joe. Henry, Christopher, and my Joe. The 
latter is in his glory here, and is a great favorite. He can 
be seen going through the camp with a big meal bag over 
his shoulders, crying out, 'How are you oats?" — He has 
already attained the soubriquet of 'Vicksburg" and 'Port 
Hudson,' to which he rejoins, 'How are you, Richmond?' 
(The joke was that Joe Hunter whom Lieut. Appleton 
picked up as a servant in Boston, had just returned with 
some officer from the victorious campaigns of Vicksburg 
and Port Hudson.) I have had both of my horses out 
under fire, and they stand it perfectly. The little beggar 
would put his nose right on the gun. and the magnificent 
Folko merely gives a slight start. One of the dogs con- 
nected with the Battery is named Trusty.' He came out 
from Massachusetts with them. (See p. 83) . . . Septem- 
ber 1 2th, 1863. the day was very hot and in the afternoon 
there was a heavy thunder shower. It rained in torrents. 
The men were out all day. mowing grass for the horses, 



708 HISTORY OF THE 

and got wet through. When they reached the camp they 
received a ration of whiskey. There was danger of fever 
and ague in that locality. Two officers of the 32d Mass. 
Reg't. dined with us. It was reported that 8000 of our 
cavalry were at Rappahannock Station, and would cross 
the river at once, and late in the evening we received an 
order which said that the Corps must be immediately in 
readiness to move to support the cavalry, if necessary." 

In a letter written on the 12th and 13th Lieut. Appleton 
says of the officers etc. of the Battery: — "The Captain, 
Phillips, is a fine fellow, plucky, good natured, bright and 
gentlemanly. The ist Lieut. Blake is a funny wag, my tent 
mate Lieut. Spear is a very pleasant companion, young, 
neat, bright, energetic, and in all respects a perfectly good 
fellow." Of the rain he says, 'Tt is delicious to lie half 
asleep, and hear the rain come patter, patter, against the 
tent, and occasionally feel a big drop tumble on your face. 
They have got up at Division Head Quarters, about a mile 
from our camp, a race course, where they have frequent 
trials of speed in the Brigades and Divisions &c. to find the 
fastest horse in the Corps. We had a pair of parallel bars 
erected in camp for exercising. We have not yet had any 
grand review. We received with joy the good news from 
Rosecranz and Burnside. Things are looking well all 
around. A good war picture struck me the other day, 
which I think no artist has as yet attempted, viz., the tri- 
daily performance of watering horses. Imagine the horses 
standing three or four feet deep in the Rappahannock, some 
quietly drinking, others splashing about, the men on their 
backs in all kinds of costumes. 

The banks of the river where we are, are verv prettily 
overhung with trees. The line of pickets extends along this 
side." Of his duties he writes, "I am learning things very 
fast. A week of practice is worth ten years of theorv." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 709 

THE INVALID CORPS. 

War Department. 
Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, Sept. 12, 1863. 
General Orders 
No. 307 
The following named non-commissioned officers and privates, hav- 
ing been duly examined and declared unfit for further field service, but 
fit for duty in the Invalid Corps, are hereby transferred from their 
respective regiments, and companies, to the Invalid Corps, to take ef- 
fect September i, 1863, and from and after that date will be dropped 
from their regimental rolls. Commanding officers of companies to which 
these men have heretofore belonged, will at once furnish the Provost 
Marshal General at Washington a descriptive list, clothing account, 
and complete military history in each case. . . . 

Drew John T. Private Company E, 5th Mass. Batter>'. 



LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 

''Camp near Beverly Ford, Va. 

Sept. 13, 1863. 

A Division or more of our troops are over the river 
today on a reconnoissance, and we are under orders to be 
ready to move at any moment. Firing is going on only 
alxDut three miles off as I write this. It may not amount 
to anything, however. We see Rebels over the river every 
day. One, a few days ago, drove his horse down to the 
river, and came over the ford by our picket line as cool as 
could be. Some of our Battery boys were in swimming at 
the time, when he drove up to a lieutenant of the picket, and 
says: — 'How are you, Lieutenant? Want to exchange 
papers? Got a cup of coffee for a fellow?' 

They gave him all he wanted, and he put spurs to his 
horse, and rode back to the rebel camp about four miles 
away. He said they would fight if only two men were left 
to do so. 

We have considerable trouble with some of the conscripts. 



710 HISTORY OF THE 

but we can soon govern them. Many of them are hard 
cases, and do not take kindly to army discipHne. An infan- 
try camp near us, has a long pole put up about seven feet 
or more high, that is kept full of conscripts from morning 
to night, tied up by their thumbs for punishment." 

DIARY OF CORPORAL SHACKLEY. 

"The reconnoissance of 8000 cavalry went on to Culpeper, 
the First Corps being with them to support. Heavy firing 
was heard on the 13th and 14th. On the 15th orders came 
at 4 p. m., to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a mo- 
ment's notice, and news came later that the advance had 
captured three cannon. 

September 16, 1863, we turned out at 3 a. m., fed, cleaned, 
watered, ate breakfast. 'Boots and Saddles' was then 
sounded. Marched at 5 a. m., crossed on a pontoon bridge 
just below Beverly Ford, and marched through Brandy 
Station towards Culpeper Court House, the road running 
parallel to the railroad, and close to it most of the way. 
We camped for the night within a mile of Culpeper at 3 p. m. 
in sight of the town. Turned in at 8 p. m. The Artillery 
Reserve camp was within a mile of us. Major Freeman 
McGilvery had been made a full colonel. Marched at day- 
light the morning of the 17th, passing through the town, 
and came into position 2^ miles south of Culpeper. Anni- 
versary of the Battle of Antietam." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER HOME. 

Written at the camping ground ''Somewhere between Cul- 
peper and Cedar Mountain, Va. 

It was a hot and dusty march, and I was very glad to roll 
myself up in my blanket and turn in for the night (of the 
1 6th. the first day's march) under a good tent, however. 
You have no idea of the way the infantry straggle on a 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 711 

march. All along the road you could see them in all stages 
of exhaustion, but they almost always manage to crawl up 
to their camps by night. We would keep falling in with 
dead horses, which had been killed in the cavalry skirmish 
of last Sunday. The next morning we started off again 
early to march farther on, first going right through Culpeper. 
It was fun going through a Virginia town, and seeing the 
people, and the deserted or closely shut up houses. There 
was a real southern Hotel there. Court House, etc., and 
everything was crowded with (jur soldiers, now and then 
carrying off with them some rebel prisoners. As we were 
going by a large house I saw a figure standing there who I 
thought must be Theodore Lyman, but when I was going 
by him he looked so strange that I did not know him, nor he 
me. When I had passed we halted and he came up and asked 
me if I was not myself, and I told him I were, whereupon we 
conversed. On the 17th I also met Colonel (Francis A.) 
Walker. A little before noon we formed 'in Battery,' and 
the other troops in line of battle quite near, and in plain 
view of Cedar Mountain on one of the 2d IMass. Regt's old 
battlegrounds, to await the coming of the enemy, who I 
guess are nowhere near us, as some of our troops were then 
encamped on the mountain itself. We have not a very 
i:)leasant location for a camp : muddy ground, tall grass, 
weeds &c. &c." 

On the 1 8th September still in position, the men went 
after hay outside the pickets. Raced horses all the way. 

From Appleton's Letter: Saturday, the 19th: — "Alas, 
you should see my pretty boots now, after two weeks' ser- 
vice ! — muddy, disfigured and scratched with brambles : how 
changed from those boots with which, elate with hope, and 
radiant with expectation, I left my home! Last night was 
cold, and today is bleak : my hand being numbed accounts 
for my scrubioiis chirography. I am going to try a gallop 
over the country. Yesterday we went foraging to the barn 



712 HISTORY OF THE 

attached to the house of a Mr. Strother, some prominent 
rebel character. The house had been ransacked. I went 
through it and grabbed up a handful of papers to see what 
they might be. One was a leaf from a manuscript book 
called 'Commonplace Book,' which had remarks on all sub- 
jects, theology, geography, &c." 

Later : — "Went out on a ride today to get warm and 
found I was near the camp of the ist Mass. Cavalry. Saw 
all the fellows. Charles A. Longfellow (Son of the poet 
Longfellow who married Lieut. Nathan Appleton's half- 
sister. He was thus his half-nephew, a year and some 
months younger than he) came over and dined with us. 
They were in a big scrimmage the other day when they were 
driving off the Rebs. They had then, when I found them, 
just come in from the front, having been relieved by others."' 

September 19, 1863, still holding the same position, the 
men went after cornstalks in the afternoon. The cavalry 
all came in. Wagoner G. H. Johnson in the Hospital and 
George Shaw. 

"Sept. 20. (Appleton's Diary.) Borrowed 'Modern 
Painters' of Dr. Howard. Tried to find Sunday service 
but didn't. (Dr. Howard was an Englishman by birth, at 
that time surgeon of the Artillery Brigade, afterwards 
famous for inventing a system for restoring life from 
urowning.) A great deal of clearing up to be overseered 
by me. Inspection on the 21st by Captain A. P. Martin. 

September 22d. Boxing gloves arrived and there was 
sparring in camp. Nine spare wheels arrived. Visit from 
Colonel McGilvery, who accompanied by Captain Phillips 
rode over to the battlefield of Cedar Mountain, where the 2d 
Mass. Infantry lost so heavily. The Colonel was in the 
fight. They rode all over the battlefield, but the traces of 
fighting were about all gone except the marks of shot on 
the houses and trees. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 71 ;^ 

The regulars came back from New York on the 22d. The 
Army was now reinforced by conscripts." 

LETTER OF LT. APPLETON. 

"September 24, 1863. The camp is being changed into 
a gymnasium. We got orders this afternoon to get eleven 
days' rations ready. If we are going to do anything, now 
is the time, when the Confeds are perhaps somewhat weak- 
ened, having sent away some to oppose Rosecranz and 
Burnside. Our army is in splendid shape. We must num- 
ber now nearly one hundred thousand men. The weather 
is fine and the roads in bully condition. The cavalry are all 
round making reconnoissances. The arrival of the mail is a 
great event in camp, and it is truly terrible to find nothing 
for yourself. It is quite extraordinary that the mails arrive 
as regularly as they do. We get one everv day. I had 
occasion to do some sewing the other day, and I found that 
it would be almost as easy for a camel, as for the thread, 
so kindly presented tO' me, to go through the eyes of the 
needles also given to me. Please send me some larger 
needles and some smaller thread, and then I shall be sure 
to be all right. Send some red thread or silk. Put thetr 
in a letter. You ask me about the bed tick. &c. It works 
to a charm. I sleep on, first, a stretcher from an ambulance, 
which has four legs, and makes a splendid bed. On this I 
put my rubber blanket, then the tick, filled by Joe with — 
I don't know wdiat; then my uncut grey blankets, into which 
I crawl; then my overcoat; and then a red artillery blanket. 
We have got the bottom of our tent filled with hemlock 
boughs, which are clean, smell nice, and remind me that 
Christmas is coming. 

We make tables out of barrel heads and boxes. The 
washstand is outside! Sabres, boots, spurs, glasses, hats, 
brushes, &c. &c. are hanging up or lying around in endless 
confusion. 



714 HISTORY OF THE 

You would be amused at the attachment my two horses 
have for each other. The Httle feller follows Folko all over 
the country, and they are eternally neighing when they are 
separated. They begin to think it is getting cold and I shall 
soon have to blanket them. The 'little un' (afterwards 
called 'Klein' German for 'little') is the prettier, but Folko 
is pleasanter to ride with others, as he is not so hard- 
mouthed. They both look very sleek. The Captain has 
me recite lessons to him in artillery tactics, which is a good 
thing, as you have to know a good deal to go through a 
battery drill without any mistakes." 

By the return of Lieut. Scott on the 25th, Lieut. Apple- 
ton was relieved of the command of the Centre section, and 
returned to his regular place as chief of the line of caissons, 
and when in line he was just four yards in rear of the 
centre of the Battery. In battle he would be in charge of 
the caissons, ammunition, horses, etc. 

Sept. 26th. Washburn and Fitzsimmons arrived at the 
Battery from the Hospital. 

By General Orders No. 320, Sept. 26, 1863, John Pilling 
was transferred to the Invalid Corps, the order to take 
effect September 30, 1863. 

"September 27th. (Appleton Notes.) We still remain 
encamped in the same place. Two Corps have left to assist 
Rosecranz, some have gone down the Rappahannock; one, 
the Second, is in advance of us, and what the rest are to do I 
don't know. Our food is very light and irregular, though in 
the main healthful. We generally have fresh meat. Canned 
food can be always bought of -the sutler. We eat in camp 
off crockerv. We carry a stove, mess kit, &c., in a battery 
cart, a vehicle which only two batteries in the service pos- 
sess, and which always travels with the Battery, not in the 
rear w^ith the baggage wagons. In this the officers manage 
to stow away a good many miscellaneous articles handy on 
a march. I find my knit jacket of very great use. My 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 715 

little artillery jacket, also, is just what I wanted. You need 
to have been in service yourself before you can tell all the 
trifling accessories to comfort. 

September 28, 1863, at 10 a. m. 'Boots and saddles' was 
sounded for review. The Brigade was reviewed by General 
Meade with his staff, a surgeon of the British army sent 
here by the Queen, and General Cortes of Spain. The sutler 
Harvey arrived at the Battery. Lieutenants Spear and 
xA.ppleton took a ride through and beyond Culpeper to the 
Artillery Reserve. Dined with Captain Bigelow, saw Phil 
Mason and Lieut. George F. Barstow\ 

Sept. 29, 1863. Battery drill on bad ground. Lieut. 
Appleton took the line of caissons. 

Oct. I St. Lt. Appleton had the fatigue party put up an 
evergreen chebang in front of the tents, and make two 
corduroy bridges." 

Dyer with Alpheus Haskins for a partner played euchre 
in the afternoon and came off victorious. His diary does 
not state who the vanquished parties were. 

The three officers' tents faced each other forming three 
sides of a square, and they messed three times a day together. 
Lieut. Appleton wrote Oct. i, 1863: "I have charge of the 
officers^ mess this month, which is pretty good fun, as I 
have to travel around the country to get grub, visiting sut- 
lers, commissaries, &c. I generally try to do some studying 
tactics, riding or writing letters in the morning. We dine 
between 12 and i. At four the horses are w-atered, fed, and 
groomed. A.bout 5 or 5.30 roll call and guard mounting: 
then tea. after which we sit around the fire and smoke. 
'Tattoo' about 7.45, and 'Taps' half an hour later. I retire 
about eight." 

October |th. Sunday there was Battery inspection by 
Captain Phillips. Lieuts. Scott and Appleton went to hear 
Chaplain Clark of the 83d Pennsylvania Reg't. preach. 

October 5th they pitched camp over again, reversed tents 



716 HISTORY OF THE 

and laid out a street. Sixth Corps passing towards the 
Rapidan. 

"There is a short description of the guns which our Bat- 
tery uses," writes Appleton, "on the 124th page of Gib- 
bon's Artillerist's Manual. We use the Schenkle projectile 
almost entirely.'' 

October 7th the army trains were moving to the rear. 

October 8th the sick were ordered to the rear, which 
looked like a move. Lieut. Scott in his notes of the day 
says : — "Battery drill was kept up every day until the 9th 
of October, when the Battery was ordered to be ready to 
move at short notice. I had not met Lieut. Appleton pre- 
vious to joining the Battery, but he was received by the men 
of the Battery cordially." 

Lieut. Scott was pleased to be once more with his old 
comrades. The entries in his diary of the loth and nth of 
October are as follows : — 

"October 10, 1863. At 2 a. m received orders to march. 
Hitched up at 3, and moved out on the road to Raccoon 
Ford 9 a. m. Halted near the Rapidan 12 m. Stood in 
harness all day. At 6 p. m. back to camp. Orders to move 
in the morning towards the Rappahannock, the enemy was 
making a flank movement towards Washington to get in the 
rear of the Army of the Potomac. 

THE FIGHT AT BRISTOE. 

October 11, 1863. Broke camp and marched for Beverly 
Ford. Passed through Culpeper and Brandy Station, and 
crossed the Rappahannock River, and camped at the Ford, 
old camp, at 7 p. m. Enemy's cavalry engaging our cavalry 
at every point." 

Lieut. Appleton tells the story of the loth, nth, 12th, 
13th and 14th in the following words; commencing under 
date of the nth: — "I am sitting, doing nothing, on the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 717 

ground, waiting for the enemy to approach if they wish to 
give US battle. On Saturday at quarter past two in the 
morning an order came for us to move at two. This being 
impossible we did the best we could and got off at about 
four or five a. m. The Corps went off on a little picnic. We 
marched about four miles towards Raccoon Ford, halted, 
passed the day, and returned to our camp at evening. It was 
very strategic. Sunday morning (nth Oct. yesterday) we 
started off at daylight on the skedaddle to the rear. Went 
through Culpeper, and then on about six or seven miles and 
halted. A lot of cavalry passed by, some wounded, riderless 
horses, &c., they were Buford's men, and had been skirmish- 
ing with the Rebs all day, and I guess had rather a hard 
time of it. They said the Rebs were beyond Culpeper and 
on the march after us. We soon proceeded, crossed the 
Rappahannock, and went into our old camping ground at 
Beverly Ford. Got up this morning at four, marched at 
daylight again over the river, and formed in position where 
we now are, half past eleven. It looks as if we wanted to 
have a battle, but whether the Rebs will come out or not 
is doubtful. General Sykes and staff' are now a little ways 
off in front of us. We have got a very good position and a 
large force, and ought to make some show. Our troops are 
concealed in woods. We see the Reb cavalry in squads three 
miles off or so, but not a gim do we hear. . . . Tuesday 
Afternoon (Oct. 13) camp near Bristoe. The only fight we 
had yesterday was a very pretty cavalry engagement which 
began late in the afternoon and which we saw perfectly well. 
We drove the Rebs away, and then the whole force, infantry 
and artillery, followed up to a short distance of Culpeper, 
got there at dusk and retired. We left Culpeper this morn- 
ing at two and marched until five this afternoon, and we are 
now near Bristoe. I enclose you a specimen of the counter- 
sign as we get it. The whole army is supposed to have the 
same one, and it is sent round to the different Divisions, 



718 HISTORY OF THE 

Brigades, &c., always done up in triangular form and 
sealed. (See p. 797.) Our supper will soon be ready. I gj 
to look at the horses. Oct. 14th. Off again at daylight. 
Took posish near Manassas. The Second Corps licked the 
Rebs. Barnes' Battery engaged. We went after them and 
then made an about, and marched until two towards Centre- 
ville. Slept out in the air. Occasional falls of rain. Hard 
day and very tired." 

Captain Phillips says of the 14th, letter dated Camp near 
Fairfax, Thursday Oct. 15, 1863: — 

''Just as we were starting out after crossing Broad Run on 
Wednesday, the Rebels commenced to shell our rear. One 
Division and one battery remained behind, and the rest of 
the Corps pushed on to Manassas Junction, where we 
formed line of battle fronting the Bull Run mountains. I 
was sent into a redoubt where I felt quite secure. The firing 
in our rear was quite steady, the Second Corps being 
engaged." 

From Corporal Shackley's Diary. "Oct. loth. Broke 
camp and marched to Mitchell's station and at 4 p. m. re- 
turned to camp. . . . Oct. 12th. Recrossed the River and 
took position on a hill to watch the enemy. About noon 
took position in a valley out of sight of the Rebs. Firing 
began about 4 p. m., and we advanced to Brandy Station, 
the Rebs retiring as we advanced. A smart cavalry fight 
took place on the plains towards Culpeper which being in 
plain sight was cjuite exciting. 

Oct. 13th. At 2.30 a. m. marched to and recrossed the 
river, and fed our horses. At 7 a. m. marched by way of 
Warrenton Junction, and camped near Catlett's Station. 

Oct. 14th. Marched towards Centreville. About noon 
the enemy attacked our rear guard, — Second Corps, — and 
were repulsed with the loss of 4 guns and 450 men. The 
Battery countermarched to near Bristoe station, about 5 
miles, then countermarched again, and marched to near Cen- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. -\\) 

treville. where we arrived about 2 a. m. of Oct. 15th, having 
made full sixty miles, fought a small battle, and crossed a 
large river within two days. 

October 15, 1863. Marched through Centreville and 
went into park near Fairfax C. H., and fed our horses for 
the first time since Tuesday the 13th." 

LIEUT. SCOTT'S ACCOUNT. 

"Oct. 12, 1863. crossed the River to its South bank and 
took a high position overlooking the plain south. Remained 
in position on the heights until 4 p. m. After a severe 
cavalry charge the Battery with the Fifth Corps in line of 
battle, moved south to Brandy Station and halted at 9 p. m. 

Oct, 13. Moved out at 2 a. m midnight darkness, chilled 
through to suffering in the frosty air : crossed the Rappa- 
hannock on pontoons at the Ford and camped for the night 
at Bristoe's at 5 p. m. The railroad bridge at Rappahannock 
was blown up. 

Hill's Rebel Corps passing our Right and rebel cavalry 
following our Rear. 

Oct. 14th. Moved out on the road towards Manassas 
Junction, and crossed Broad Run at 12 noon. The enemy 
came on our flank shelling our Rear. Attacking the Second 
Corps they were repulsed with some loss of guns and prison- 
ers captured by the Second Corps. The Fifth Battery was 
not engaged, but after being tangled up in the dense growth 
of woods, retired in the darkness of the night with the loss of 
a pole to a caisson, and one horse. Night pitchy dark. 
Passed through Manassas, crossed Blackburn's Ford. — 
Bull Run. — and camped at 2 a. m. 

Oct. 15th. 9 a. m moved through Centreville. camping 
near Fairfax Court House at 2 p. m. Raining. Every one 
cold and wet. Enemy moving rapidly for our flank and 
rear. Fifth Corps at Germantown. Sutlers ordered to the 



720 HISTORY OF THE 

rear — to Alexandria. News of Curtin's election in Pennsyl- 
vania, 30,000 rnajorny. \ allandigham in Ohio defeated." 

Private John E, Dyer's Notes of Oct. loth : "The enemy 
made a feint on our Left and attacked our Right. 

Oct. 13th. . . . After a march of 25 miles we went into 
camp at 5 p. m pretty tired. 

Oct. 15th. . . . Half a ration of whiskey and 2 days" ra- 
tions of hard tack issued tonight." 

BY WAY OF THE FIGHT AT BRISTOE. 

General Meade issued an order at 11.25 p. m. Sept. 15. 
1863, for a forward movement of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, to commence at 5 a. m. of the i6th. The cavalry were 
to picket the front and guard the flank of the Army. The 
Fifth Corps was directed to occupy the ridge in front of 
the village of Culpeper, and there it remained till the 13th 
of October. On the 24th of September the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps were detached from the Army of the Po- 
tomac and sent west, and the enemy becoming aware of the 
fact immediately threw a heavy force upon the Union 
cavalry, in order to turn its flank and get in the rear of the 
Army, which design we frustrated by the retrograde move- 
ment of General Meade, made with such celerity as to reach 
Centreville in advance of the enemy but not without seriou.^ 
trouble through a determined attack of the Confederates 
at Bristoe, and the most severe hardships endured by the 
troops. 

October 16, 1863, reveille was sounded at 7 o'clock. At 
5 p. m. "Boots and Saddles." At 6 p. m. the Battery moved 
out into the road and waited for the Division to march 
past, then it took its place in the column and marched back 
to within two miles of Centreville. Rain until 9 p. m. 
The Battery went into park at ten. Two more batteries 
were attached to the Corps. The night was very dark. One 
of the officers' tents blew over. On the 17th the Battery 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY 721 

changed camp to a more suitable one a mile nearer Centre- 
ville in a beautiful glade. The pontoon train moved 
through Centreville. Camped with the Brigade. 

NOTES OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

'The enemy was manoeuvring for position and covering 
their movements. On the i8th Reveille at 3 a. m. Two 
batteries moved out with the infantry at sunrise waiting 
orders. Marched at 10 a. m. to near Fairfax Court House 
close by our former camp. Awful mud hole on the march. 
Camped, in the fork between the \\'arrenton turnpike and 
the Chantilly road, at 2 p. m. Some cannonading heard 
towards Bull Run. 

On the 19th of October we were ordered to march for 
Centreville at 6 a. m. with the Fifth Corps. Passed 
through Centreville at 9 a. m. Raining hard. Marched 
towards Manassas 2 miles, then towards Bull Run. All 
the army on the move. Crossed Bull Run on pontoons at 
noon and bivouacked on Bull Run battlefield of 1862 at 
3 p. m. The rebels were said to be moving south having 
failed to get between us and Washington. The Sixth 
Corps and train was moving towards Gainesville where we 
found them at daybreak of the 20th." Scott calls it "a race 
for position, but they could not be brought to a decisive 
battle." Appleton says it was moonlight that night — "an 
impressive evening. Passed by old Reb. huts of 1861." 

LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER. 

"Halt near Gainesville, 

Oct. 19, 1863. 
For the last ten days we have been marching and counter- 
marching, skirmishing, bivouacking, knocking about by 
day and night, in fact, I have not slept twice in the same 
place. Truly the tactics of the Army of the Potomac are 
extraordinary. Last night we encamped on the battlefield 



T22 HISTORY OF THE 

of Bull Run No. 2, and there were plenty of skeletons and 
skulls around. Our men buried many of them yesterday 
afternoon. This morning we started off at three. (Orders 
were that the Corps should be at Gainesville by daylight.) 
I have had a taste of real military life lately, and it cer- 
tainly has its. discomforts. My idea of our last week's 
manoeuvre is this : — The Rebs tried to get into Centreville 
heights before us, but we were just too quick for them. It 
would be folly to attack us there and that Lee knew, and so 
they are skedaddling, with us after them. We pass a big 
part of every day in the saddle. Perhaps we shall push 
after them well over the Rappahannock. General Meade 
and staff passed by us an hour ago, and General Pleasanton 
a little later, with an immense force of cavalry. I have 
looked in vain for the ist Mass. cavalry. I tell you, I have 
seen some splendid sights lately. Forty thousand men 
marching in solid columns ! Our approach to Culpeper 
after the cavalry skirmish, was magnificent. The poor 
infantry had a terrible time on the night marches, plodding 
through the deep mud, crossing streams, &c. I have not 
got a letter for ten days, as the mails are very irregular on 
occasions when the army is in motion. I want more money, 
as I am running the mess, and have to get grub when and 
wherever I can. It is hard to keep well supplied on the 
march, as our family consists of five officers, five darkies, 
and one or two cooks detailed from the Battery. I have 
only slept out in the air with no covering once, that was 
when we marched solid, with an occasional halt, from day- 
light one morning until two or three the next, and then 
we were off again by ten. It is almost impossible to keep 
the calendar straight, as all the days are just alike. We 
have come off decidedly best in the late manoeuvring, and 
taken many prisoners. If the Rebs stand this side of the 
Rappahannock we shall have a fight in which we ought 
certainly to whip them. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 703 

I have been reading 'Quits' lately, which I borrowed 
of Guthrie, a youno- lieutenant in an Ohio battery in our 
Brigade. I am now reading 'Tom Burke of Ours,' by 
Charles Lever, which is military and good. I read on the 
march, as all the time in camp you need to eat and sleep. 
I don't know when you will get this letter. I take a chance 
man going by to take it." 

FROM DIARY OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"At noon of October 20th we marched, following the 
Sixth Corps which advanced early in the morning when wc 
were turned out but stood in harness till noon. Then we 
marched to New Baltimore arri\-ing at 5 p. m. The rail- 
road from Bristoe south had been torn up and now was 
being repaired. The army were all moving to this point, 
following the enemy, then at New Baltimore, closely, and 
there was a cavalry fight near this place. We were without 
rations or forage. An order was read on this day to have 
roll calls at 12 m. and 3 p. m. At New Baltimore we re- 
ceived our mails with letters and lots of papers. 

October 21, 1863, we remained in camp all day, the first 
time since the loth. We were then at New Baltimore, ten 
miles from Warrenton. The entire Brigade were encamped 
there near a rebel family. Rebs recrossed the Rappahan- 
nock. On the 22d our other tents were put up and the 
camp fixed up. Stores were received from Gainesville. 
The men had fresh meat for dinner. Captain Huntington 
dined and passed the afternoon with the Battery." 



LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 

•'Camp near New Baltimore, Va. 

Oct. 22, 1863. 

We have been on one continual march for over a month. 



724 HISTORY OF THE 

and I have had no chance to write, or do anything else but 
look after shoeless and dead horses, disabled artillery car- 
riages, etc. I tell you, we have work enough to do after 
halting from a day's march. Horses, harnesses, ammuni- 
tion to repack, wheels to grease, and forty other things to 
do, so by the time we are through, it is time to drop down. 
This move was a very singular one. Lee would chase us 
25 miles or so, then our Army turns around and chases 
him back, like boys playing 'tag.' We came over the Bull 
Run battleground a few days ago, and I tell you it was a 
sad sight, to see our poor fellows only partially buried, and 
many not buried at all. At the place where we halted you 
could not move without seeing a skull, arm, or leg of some 
Union soldier, as we could tell by the blue clothing they had 
on. A major of our Army, lay near where we were, not 
having been buried at all. Probably he had not been dis- 
covered before. Enclosed I send you some green, that I got 
near two of the bodies of our men, that were mostly out of 
the ground, and the spot where McDowell's Corps broke, 
and so many of our men were killed. I also send a clover 
leaf from a large Fort built by the Rebels at Manassas, in 
1 86 1. My hands are so stiff, and the pen so poor, that I 
can hardly write." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"Camp near New Baltimore, 

Friday, Oct. 23, 1863. 
I saw in yesterday's (Washington) 'Chronicle' that 
General Meade was ordered by the War Department to 
pursue right after the Rebs. I guess by this time they are 
well across the two Raps. Our army is so infernally cau- 
tious we can never do anything. Taking Richmond this 
way is played out. Either break up the Army of the Poto- 
mac or else try the Peninsula, which letter having been 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 725 

ISlac's plan must of course be kept down ! I am pleased to 
see the result of the elections, and I guess they will be a 
heavy blow to the Confeds and the Copperheads. I hope 
if we are to go into winter quarters it will be round Wash- 
ington, where the living is better, and you have a chance of 
an occasional run up to Washington and a good dinner. 
You may laugh at one's wanting a good dinner, in fact, at 
home people have a sort of notion that all a soldier has to do 
is to look grand and fight battles, march onward, &c.. &c.. 
but. out here, it much more consists of the little minutiae of 
camp life, — eating, sleeping, keeping clean, having your 
eye everlastingly on the men, and being bothered by a hun- 
dred annoyances. But in return, you drink in the splendid 
October air described by Theodore \\' inthrop ! Oh yes, at 
the sweet hour of two in the morning, when everything is 
chilly and damp, and you have two minutes to swallow a cup 
of boiling cofTee! A night move of the Army is a splendid 
sight ! The whole plain as far as you can see, illuminated 
with ten thousand camp fires, — the shouts of the men. the 
braying of the mules. How Brigades and Divisions ever 
find their way is a marvel, but still they always do. I hardly 
know whether you have been able to make out my last 
letters. I was sitting in our ambulance by the side of the 
road writing my last, when some one said that the mail car- 
rier was passing by. So without reading or even finishing 
it, I bounced it into an envelope, and sent it off. Wherever 
we go we see dead cavalry horses lying along the roads. I 
am S(M-ry to hear you say that poor Gus Barker died. (A 
captain in the 5th N. Y. Cavalry shot by guerillas near 
Kelly's Ford. Harvard, class of 1863.) Are there to be 
none of '63 warriors left to chat together over their adven- 
tures ? It seems strange how we worry and fuss over horses 
at home, always afraid that they are getting cold, or sick, 
or something, while here they seem to be perfectly well and 
not under the slio-htest cover. I have blanketed mv big- one 



726 HISTORY OF THE 

twice since I have been out here, and that was at first, before 
he had got at all used to things. The little one is rather 
tough. I can't write well when the wind is blowing my 
paper about. Dinner, consisting of salt fish-balls, pork, and 
ham scraps, and a pudding ingeniously made of hard tack 
and raisins, is almost read^% and I am going to halt. 

The same day: Lieut. Spear and I took a ride towards 
New Baltimore. Nothing interesting going on." 

From Appleton's Diary: "Oct. 23, 1863. Camp near 
New Baltimore. Our little campaign of two weeks seems 
about over, and we have again settled down to the com- 
forts (?) of a camp. Many think we are to settle down into 
winter quarters near Washington or Warrenton. I hate to 
think we are to try to do nothing more. On this day we 
pitched our tents in line, and on the 24th were ordered at 
3^ p. m., to march about sunset in a cold northeast rain- 
storm. 'Boots and saddles' at 5 p. m. Marched with the 
Corps to Auburn near Cedar Run, between Warrenton and 
the Junction, and went into park at 8 p. m., with orders to 
move at a moment's notice. (Auburn is the name of a post 
office near the estate of the McCormicks, world famous 
manufacturers of agricultural implements.) Here General 
Judson Kilpatrick in command of the Union cavalry, was 
surprised by the confederate cavalry general Stuart, while 
Kilpatrick was in bivouac in a hollow ; the situation and the 
state of the atmosphere, a dense fog, aiding the attacking 
party, who had also a light battery with them, but Kilpatrick 
not only escaped from the snare but showed fight and beat 
off the enemy." 



The next day was Sunday the 25th. The batteries of the 
Corps changed ground and pitched camp over. Went into 
position facing south. Very cold. The trains remain be- 
hind. Rations were not all up. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 727 

THE MASS. lOTH BATTERY NEAR BY. 

From Scott's Notes: "The loth Battery was attacked on 
the march witli the Sixth Corps. Serg-'t. Woodfin of the 
loth Battery was struck from his horse hy a ball passing 
through his neck from a rebel carbine. xA.fterwards he was 
First Lieutenant of the i6th Mass. Battery." 

This was while Scott commanded it. Colonel Philip T. 
Woodfin w^as Governor of the Southern Branch, National 
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, at Hampton, Va., 
28 years, and died there August 24, 1901. The bullet that 
struck him October 13, 1863, and lodged in the back of his 
neck, Captain Scott took from his shoulder July 4, 1864. 

October 26, 1863. Reveille at usual camp hour. Cold 
and wet. Lieut. Appleton mentions the building of "a large 
semi-circular fireplace in front of our tent." The men had 
nothing but hard bread to eat in the morning, but in the 
afternoon the wagons came up. Some cannonading was 
heard towards the Rappahannock, and orders were received 
to be ready to move at short notice. 

Private Dyer records that on the night of Oct. 26-27, 
was seen the first ice of the season. He was on guard that 
night. Where Corporal Shackley was, ice was half an inch 
in thickness. On the 27th firing was heard at the south 
towards the Rappahannock. 

LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER HOME. 

"Camp at Auburn near Cedar Run, 

Oct. 28, 1863. 
Rode over to Army H'd O'rs and called on Theodore 
Lyman. Burt (the cook) brought us some good grub from 
Gainesville, 2 turkeys. Cargill (Lieut, in the Third Mass. 
Battery) called on us from Boston. By the way, how well 
the Virginians named their streams here, every one is a 
'run.' Last Saturday they interrupted the quiet of a rainy 



T28 HISTORY OF THE 

afternoon by an order for an immediate start, so off we 
went for about five miles and then squatted down again. 
Colonel Theodore Lyman said that Meade's plan was to try 
to make them give us battle, but they didn't see it, as each 
side wanted to get choice of ground. The railroad has been 
badly injured, and it will take some time for us to put it in 
running order, though we are working at it pretty steadily. 
The roads are good now but won't be long. The horses out 
here have a playful way in the night of gnawing off each 
others' tails, which they use as a substitute for hay. My 
big one had a little piece bitten out of his last night, but Joe 
takes care to put them well off from the picket rope. I 
guess you will see some good pictures of our late movements 
in Harper's. I often see their artist sitting by the side of 
the" road, sketching us as we are going over some stream. 
One thing the Army sadly needs is some good bands of 
music : even an unappreciative ear enjoys it out here. The 
other day when we were trying to get our forge through a 
big mud hole, and two horses tumbled down in it, in suc- 
cession, a band was playing beautifully near by, and it 
seemed to me that it had a good deal to do with getting us 
through safely. If I were a general I would use a good 
deal of money on drilling a superb band. (After the first 
year Brigade and Division bands were all that were al- 
lowed.) 

I see you are to have more fun in Boston in the drafting 
and recruiting biz. Tell John A. A. (Governor Andrew) 
that cavalry is what we want now to finish up the work." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S DIARY. 

"On the 28th one day's ration of soft bread and fresh meat 
was issued to the men at night. On the 29th our fireplace 
tumbled down, but we should have been obliged to leave 
it, anyway, as we had orders to march at 7 a. m. of the 30th 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 72!) 

for Three Mile Station on the Warrenton Branch railroad. 
3 miles from Warrenton Junction. The whole Corps 
hitched up and broke camp. Marched at 9 a. m. Marched 
past Three Mile Station and came into position about 1 1 
a. m., about two miles from Warrenton Junction, near the 
railroad. The railroad to Rappahannock and bridge were 
being repaired. The hilly roads over which we marched 
were very bad. Cars had passed up the Branch the previous 
evening. The railroad was repaired to the Junction. The 
corral was moved from Gainesville to the vicinity of W^ar- 
renton Junction, and the general headquarters were moved." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp near Three Mile Station, 

Oct. 31. 1863. 

We certainly have not gained anything in the last three 
weeks. Then we were at Culpeper, now we are at Warren- 
ton Junction; then the railroad was in good order to the 
Rapidan. now it runs as far as \\^arrenton, and the track 
beyond that is destroyed. They can't get in our rear unless 
we sret in theirs: thev cannot cut our communications unless 
we cut theirs." 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"Camp at Three Mile Station, 

near Warrenton Junction, 

Nov. I, 1863. 

It is almost impossible to remember what day of the week 
it is out here, they are all so much alike, but outward circum- 
stances need not interfere with one's own ideas of a Sa'bbath. 
Don't judge by my writing that I am getting weary of 
things. Grumbling on paper is assuredly one of the privi- 
leges as well as the pleasures of our life in the 'bush,' as 
Joe calls it. Last night was very cold and windy, and I 



730 HISTORY OF THE 

found it difficult to keep comfortable. You wake up with 
a chill, and find yourself high and dry with all your blankets 
kicked off and then to rearrange them in the dark is fraught 
with difficulties. I don't know what to make of this last 
call for 300,000 more volunteers. It looks either as if the 
Administration expected the fighting to last some time 
or that they desired plenty of men in reserve. If we 
could fight the Rebs now, how we should lick 'em ! But 
they have smashed the railroad and run off. I hope they 
will have no more humbug about the matter of drafting and 
recruiting, exempting, &c. The labors here are not so ter- 
ribly severe, but that a man of average strength and health 
can get along very well. Send out that book of mine which 
I had at Lvnn this summer, entitled 'Youatt on the Horse.' 
It will be of great use and instruction out here. For my 
servant Joe, two horses and myself I need 8 blankets, and 
the Quartermasters are so slow that it takes an everlasting 

time to get any." 



The drill was kept up on the pieces, but the horses were 
without forage most of the time. Nov. 2d the men were 
digging holes for picket posts. Pontoons had been brought 
the day before to Warrenton Junction. No forage was to 
be had for the horses. The Third Corps was said to be 
moving to the front. On the 3d, forage was obtained for 
the horses and it was very warm and pleasant. 

NOTES OF JOHN E. DYER. 

"Nov. 5, 1863, good news was received from the Massa- 
chusetts and New York elections. The men had boiled 
pork and stewed dried apples for dinner, and the Artillery 
Reserve passed by our position towards Catlett's Station. 
Orders were issued for eleven days' rations. Drill on the 
pieces. The sutler Gorham arrived in the evening of the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 731 

6th and sold out. We had drill on the piece and orders to 
march at 6 a. m. the next morning, the 7th. Trains of 
cars were on tire on the. railroad. 

NOV. 7, 1863. THE BATTLE. 

In the morning at 4 a. m. we were awakened by the joyful 
sound of the bugle, hitched up at 6 a. m., moved out on the 
road at 7^, left the camp at Three Mile Station and 
marched with the Fifth Corps to the Rappahannock River, 
where the enemy was said to be posted, passing through 
Bealton. Near Rappahannock Station we halted, remain- 
ing there all noon time, and skirmishers were thrown out, 
the Fifth Corps being deployed to the left of the railroad, 
which had been destroyed and the rails carried off by the 
Rebs. 

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, firing was heard in front 
at Kelly's Ford, where were the First, Second, and Third 
Corps, and we were ordered forward at 4 p. m. 



The rebels had thrown up earthworks, which they held, on 
the north bank of the river, their guns sweeping the low 
ground in front of them, over which our attack must be 
made. The work was garrisoned by Hays' Brigade of 
Early's Division, Ewell's Corps, and Hoke's Brigade of 
the same Division was sent to reinforce them. 

On our side. General David A. Russell was in com- 
mand of Wright's Division of the Sixth Corps, and 
made the assault as night was coming on, the 5th 
Wisconsin and 6th ]\Iaine in advance, supported by our 
artillery fire and the skirmishers of the 121st New York and 
20th Maine. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery went into position on the left 
of the railroad, 900 yards below the rebel earthworks, 
near the bridge. Corporal Shackley noted in his Diary the 



732 HISTORY OF THE 

fact that "Captain A. P. Martin came to us, and was pleased 
to say 'You are making some fine shots, boys!' " 

The 5th Battery fired 112 rounds, shelHng the earthworks 
tin dark, when the infantry charged the Station, captured the 
fort, with 8 pieces of artillery, caissons and horses, 2 Bri- 
gades and 7 flags. There were no casualties in the Battery. 
The Union loss in the engagement was 370 killed, wounded 
and missing. 

The Battery parked at night with the Fifth Corps back 
from the river, and on Its south side, about a mile from the 
field. 

Nov. 8th, they were aroused at 4 a. m., ate breakfast, and 
marched at daylight for Kelly's Ford, where they arrived at 
10 a. m. At 12 they crossed the river on pontoons and 
marched about 5 miles beyond, as far as Stephensburg, 
where they camped for the night near Mountain Creek. 
The Army was across the river. 

Private Dyer wrote : "After rallying on a rail fence we 
unhitched, and getting supper we turned in for the night." 
The First and Second Corps were ahead and they heard 
some cannonading towards the Rapidan. 

Lieut. Appleton observes that "General Meade passed us 
and was enthusiastically cheered." 

Nov. 9th, Reveille at 4I o'clock at Stephensburg. 
There was a snow squall from the westward during the 
day, the first of the season. No orders at 8 o'clock. The 
wagon trains had not come up. "Pindar and train lost," 
writes Appleton, "and ice made f of an inch in thickness. 
Snow was seen on the Blue Ridge. The First and Second 
Corps were at Brandy Station. No firing this day. The 
Rebs had made preparations here for winter quarters." 

"Order in the evening (Scott's Diary) to picket Mountain 
Creek, north bank, on the morrow." 

This creek passes Culpeper. Private Dyer was on guard 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



■33 



that night, which was "a bitter cold night," with Corporal 
Proctor. 

This photograph which was taken by Gorman and Jordan, 
army photographers in January, 1864, is highly prized by 
Captain Appleton, who then purchased it. The following 
is from his Diary: — "The Army was advancing, after its 
withdrawal back to Bull Run. This picture shows the rail- 
road (Orange and Alexandria R. R.) bridge across the river, 
the ridge, and the open lowland. The railroad from War- 
renton Junction to the Rappahannock had been repaired. 
The rebels had possession of the ridge, and the open lowland 
lay between them and our forces. Our Battery went into 
position alongside of Griffin's Battery D, 5th Regt. U. S 
Artillery, commanded by Lieut. Rittenhouse. We fired at 
the earthworks afterwards captured at the bayonet by the 
Sixth Corps. We are now (Nov. 9, 1863) a good ways ofF 
from any railroad connection. Pontoons have been sent 
to Fredericksburg." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER OF THE 

SAME DATE. 

"Camp between the Rapidan and the Rappahannock, 

SIX MILES BEYOND KeLLY's FoRD. 

We are just in the beginning of what will be a brilliant 
campaign. I hope soon to write from Richmond. Well, 
I have been under fire, and don't like it. It isn't pleasant 
to have shells come whizzing through the woods and see 
men carried off on stretchers. One piece of shell went 
between Barnard and myself as we were talking by the 
roadside. (This was Captain George M. Barnard. Jr.. 
known as 'Rappahannock George,' the officer who mustered 
him in at Beverly Ford.) I guess we have got the Rebs in a 
tight place. We hear heavy firing every day. Our affair the 
other day was brilliant but short. I was in the woods with 



7U HISTORY OF THE 

the caissons, and as the Rebs fired very high the shehs fell 
just around where 1 was. No man in the Battery was hit, 
in fact, I guess I was the nearest to it of any one. I only 
hope we shall move on soon, and try something more. Gill- 
more still hammers at Charleston. Cargill and Carroll 
(Lieut. Carroll, brother of the wife of General Griffin and 
the Misses Carroll of Washington, a lieutenant in Griffin's 
Battery) called, and the latter dined. Men's ^^s (quar- 
ters) fixed up. Pleasant game of whist in the evening with 
Dr. Bell. Perhaps you have seen in the papers something 
about an 'unknown battery by the, side of Griffin's, which 
did good execution.' That was the Fifth Massachusetts. 
By the by, the Army is a splendid school for the control of 
one's angry spirits. Do what you are told and ask no 
questions. How you sometmies fret under the restraint, 
like Folko on a slow march !" 

INVALID CORPS. 

Transferred to Invalid Corps to take effect on November 
15, 1863, under General Orders No. 365 War Department: 

O'Connell, Daniel, Private Co. E, ist Massachusetts 
Artillery. 

McKeren, William, Private 5th Massachusetts Battery. 



LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Extract relative to the action of the Battery at the 
Battle of Rappahannock Station taken from his letter of 
Nov. 15, 1863: — "Although our Battery was engaged as 
much as any one we have been eliminated out of all the re- 
ports, and shall have to fall back on our reserve stock of 
glory. My own impression is that we did pretty good 
shooting. I enclose an extract from the Philadelphia In- 
quirer, which will show what other people thought of it. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 735 

'On the extreme right,' says the Inquirer correspondent, 'was 
Captain Waterman's Battery ist R. I. Artillery, next to and 
near it that of Captain Martin, Battery D, 5th U. S. Artil- 
lery; Taft's Battery of Reserve Artillery, a little to the right 
of the centre and on the left of the railroad, at a distance of 
some twelve hundred yards from the rebel forts, a battery 
belonging to tJic Fifth Corps, which I regret not to he able 
to name, particularly as it is said to ha\-e worked with ex- 
cellent effect.' 

There were in reality two batteries of the Fifth Corps 
engaged: Rittenhouse's Battery D, 5th U. S.. and mine, 
though as we were side by side, the general impression was 
that there was only one. The battery referred to in the 
extract as 'Captain Martin's Battery D, U. S. Art'y' was 
Lieut. Martin's Battery something else U. S. Art'y, belong- 
ing to the 6th Corps.'' 

"Nov. 10, 1863. (Diary of Lieut. Scott.) Hitched up 
and moved into quarters vacated by the Rebel Dole's Bri- 
gade, 34 houses. These were well built, with fireplaces, and 
the Battery was made very comfortable, with plenty of wood 
to burn. The Rebs had made extensive preparations for a 
winter's stay here, but now have retired beyond the Rapidan. 
Thirty-four houses were taken by our Battery. Four bat- 
teries, 200 between them. Ice made ^ of an inch. Blue 
Ridge covered with snow." 

In relation to these comfortable quarters Private Dyer 
said it was "the first time the Rebs ever left anything for our 
benefit. Much obliged to them for skedaddling." 

NOTES OF LOUIS E. PATTISON. 
Nov. 2, 1 90 1. 

"Action at Rappahannock Station, Nov. 7, 1863: Our 
Battery crossed to the left of the railroad going through a 
piece of woods at a trot, over rocks and stumps, and went 



736 HISTORY OF THE 

into Battery pn the edge of the woods; opening fire on one 
of the works. 

Our guns fired very slowly, the officers watching the 
effect of the shots, in order at the proper moment to cease 
firing, when our infantry reached the forts, which they did 
very soon, I should say in fifteen to thirty minutes, going 
right into them. They captured over 1,000 prisoners, 8 
colors, all the guns, and 2,000 small arms. Their loss is 
officially given as 419, Confederate loss, 1,674. I do not 
remember that the Battery had any loss, killed or wounded. 

It was a very pretty little action, requiring quick move- 
ments and good judgment. We afterwards went into 
winter quarters on the right of the railroad, near the forts, 
during the winter of '63 and '64, and cut the woods referred 
to above, for fuel and houses for quarters." 

These quarters were about a mile distant from the camp 
on Mountain Creek. They had been finished only about ten 
days previous and occupied by the 44th Georgia Regiment of 
Dole's Brigade. 

On the nth of November the men cleared up camp and 
the cooks commenced cooking for the Battery. They found 
the "Rebs' " or "Johnnies' " quarters quite comfortable, 
though some of the quarters were not quite finished. Our 
troops again occupied Culpeper. The railroad and bridge 
were repaired and the road from Warrenton to Bealton was 
being pushed through. General Meade was at Brandy 
Station. 

Appleton in his account of the day says : — "The Rebs evi- 
dently expected to pass the winter here, and pitched in in 
fine style, until so agreeably interrupted by us last Saturday. 
I can well imagine how angry they must be when they know 
that the Yankees are quietly enjoying their elegant houses. 
The splendid campaign, which I thought just beginning, 
seems to have quite fizzled out. All the Corps are, I be- 
lieve, quietly lying around. Nov. 12. Sat around the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 737 

camp and chatted. It looks as if we were to stay here. 



Orders were given to the men to cover their houses with 
shelter tents, and take tarpaulins for harnesses. They made 
harness racks on the 13th, and fixed up tents. On the 14th 
they had fried liver for dinner and played euchre in the 
evening. Lieuts. Apjileton and Blake with Lieut. Cargill 
went over the river to the ist Division. Appleton writes : — 
"Rained like thunder in the evening, and the house leaked 
muchly. My bed fell down about the middle of the night." 

"Nov. 15, 1863, f Scott.) Ordered to be ready at a 
moment's notice. Brisk cannonading towards the Rapidan. 
Railroad nearly completed to the Rappahannock. Drew 1 1 
new horses." 

"Nov. 16. (Appleton.) We put on our pretty clothes 
and were inspected and drilled at 3 p. m. by Captain Martin 
and staff. First time since Culpeper." 



• The inspection consumed one hour and a half, and the 
Battery went through manoeuvres on changing front. The 
cars were running to Culpeper on the 17th, and the men 
began building houses for the officers. 

Corporal Shackley remarks Nov. i8th : "The winter cloth- 
ing which was sent to the storehouse about June 10, 1863, 
was returned today." 

Acting Adjutant Holman S. Melcher of the 20th Maine 
Regiment, remembers the Battery during the winter of '63- 
'64 "from their very nice cantonment, and the sound of their 
bugle calls." 

From a letter addressed to the Hon. Henry K. Oliver, 
Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by Cap- 
tain Augustus P. Martin, commanding the Artillery Bri- 
gade, dated at the Head Quarters of the Artillery Brigade, 



738 HISTORY OF THE 

Fifth Army Corps, Camp near Kelly's Ford, Va., Nov. i8, 
1863, in relation to the services of the Fifth Mass. Battery 
and its captain on several battlefields : — 

"He" (Captain Phillips) "has proved himself to be one of the 
bravest, coolest and most reliable officers on the field, and one of the 
most prompt, energetic, faithful and competent officers in camp, within 
my knowledge. His services and that of his battery at Fredericksburg 
and Rappahannock Station were of the most valuable character, and 
have received the highest commendation and praise of his superior 
officers. He was not under my command at Gettysburg, but I have 
read the portions of the official report of his commanding officer relat- 
ing to the services of himself and battery, which was commendable in 
the highest degree (see p. 667, McGilvery's Report) and was not sur- 
passed by any battery upon that field." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S DIARY. 

"The ist Division of the Fifth Corps came up from the 
Rappahannock, where they had been on picket between 
Kelly's Ford and Bealton. Two splendid boxes bearing the 
express marks of Boston filled with jolly grub from home 
arrived safely, and is being appreciated by the mess. We 
had singing and a serenade in the evening. Nov. 19, super- 
intended the working on the houses. 20th, we are still 
ensconced on our 'Georgia Plantation.' My log house has 
a tent fly for a roof, chimney at the end." 

The contents of the boxes were intended for Thanksgiving 
dinner but were devoured on arrival from fear they would 
have orders to move as proved to be the case. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"Nov. 20, 1863. Rode over to the camp of the 20th Mass. 
Regiment Infantry, and dined with John Perry (John Gar- 
diner Perry, assistant surgeon of the 20th), and Rittenhouse 
supped with me in my shanty. One pleasant feature of our 
life in Virginia is its delicious uncertainty. You sit wearily 
in your camp doing nothing one day, and the next morning 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. ' 739 

you are whistled up at two to start on a bi^ march and 
perhaps fight. You know that you may any day be detailed 
to g-o to Washington on some court martial, or to Boston on 
recruiting service, and exchange the toils of camp for the 
gayeties of a metropolis. The prospect -of some possible 
change for the better or for worse is always before you." 

LETTER FROM HON. HENRY K. OLIVER, TREASURER OF 

THE STATE OF AL\SSACHUSETTS, TO CAPTAIN 

AUGUSTUS P. MARTIN. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

State Treasurer's Office, 
Boston Nov. 23, 1863. 
Captain A. P. Martin, Commander of Artillery Brigade, 5th Army 
Corps. Camp near Kelly's Ford, Va. 

Cal^tain. 

Permit me to thank yon in the most earnest manner for your very 
acceptable letter resnecting my friend Captain C. .*\. Phillips. Your 
thorough commendation of him has afforded me the highest gratifica- 
tion, and will deeply affect his family and many friends in Massachu- 
setts. I have taken the' liberty of showing your letter to Gov. Andrew, 
who was highly gratified at the good name acquired by an officer of 
his appointing. With your leave I will also send the letter to Hon. 
Mr. Phillips (Stephen H.) and the Capt.'s family at Salem. 
With many thanks I am truly yours. 

H. K. Oliver. 

Can a copy be had of that part of the Official Report of Captain 
Phillips' commanding officer, relating to the service of himself and 
Batterv at Gettysburg. Gov. Andrew would like to see it. 

H. K. O. 
(See p. 667.) 



. CHAPTER XIX. 
THE ARTILLERY FIRE AT MINE RUN. 
November 27-30, 1863. 

"We must forget all feelings save the one; 

We must resign all passions save our purpose; 

We must behold no object save our country, 

And only look on death as beautiful. 

So that the sacrifice ascend to Heaven 

And dravir down freedom on her evermore." 

(Quoted by His Excellency John A. Andrew, at the 
close of his address to the two branches of the 
Legislature of Massachusetts in extra session, 
November 11, 1863.) 

The campaign of Mine Run though planned by General 
Meade for an offensive movement to surprise Lee in winter 
quarters, and turn his flank by making a rapid advance to 
Orange Court House, seizing by the way the Plank 
Road and the turnpike, actually resulted in two fights; 
one in which cavalry under Gregg was engaged and 
was delivered by the Fifth Corps on November 27, 
1863, and an assault by the artillery, which was tD 
have been supported by infantry, had the plans of the 
leader been carried out. The infantry, however, failed 
to bear its part in the attack, General Gouverneur K. 
Warren by later and closer observation of the strength 
and position of the rebels having formed the opinion, which 
was approved, on investigation, by General IMeade, that there 
was no possibility of a successful result. General Warren's 
command at that time was composed of portions of the 
Second and Third Corps and comprised nearly one half of 
the infantry of the Army. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 741 

The crossing of the Rapidan was made in three cokimns. 
It was to be done so quickly as to compel the enemy to 
give battle on a ground and at a time of our own choosing, 
and to be so suddenly called upon to defend themselves as 
to leave them no time to concentrate their forces. But it 
would seem, in the light of subsequent developments, that in 
the nature of the case we had to be too long about it to 
make this undertaking much of a surprise. 

It was on the 26th that the Third Corps followed by the 
Sixth Corps crossed the Rapidan at Jacob's Mills, and the 
Second Corps at Germanna Ford, both aiming for Robert- 
son's Tavern to effect a junction of their forces. The Fifth 
Corps, followed by two Divisions of the First Corps, crossed 
at Culpeper Ford, its objective point being Parker's Store 
on the way to Robertson's Tavern and, if possible, to make 
that point, where it was proposed to concentrate the Army. 

The Second Corps, commanded by General G. K. War- 
ren, reached the Tavern about 10 a. m. of the 27th and 
halted, waiting for the Third Corps under command of 
General Thomas French. 

The Fifth Corps under General George Sykes, after wait- 
ing for the Second and Third Corps to cross the river, 
arrived at Parker's Store at 9 a. m. of the 27th and found 
the cavalry under General John I. Gregg, who had been in- 
structed to cover the Left flank of the Army, engaged With 
the Confederate cavalry, and obliged to fight dismounted on 
account of the dense woods. 

The Fifth Corps took position at New Hope Church, and 
relieved the cavalry, driving away, and completely quieting 
the rebel cavalry and their infantry skirmishers. Thus far 
the programme had been carried out according to instruc- 
tions, but the Fifth Corps was not permitted to advance 
farther than the intersection of the road from Raccoon Ford 
with the Orange and Alexandria Plank Road, as the Third 
Corps had not made its connection with the Second Corps. 



742 HISTORY OF THE 

The Third Corps had been having its own Httle encounter 
with the enemy at Raccoon Ford. 

When the pursuit was at last organized and under way, 
the Second Corps was ahead, and on November 28th found 
the rebels securely established on the west bank of Mine 
Run. In the evening of that day the Second, Sixth, First, 
and Third Corps formed in line of battle in front of the 
enemy, and at 4 o'clock of the morning of the 29th the Fifth 
Corps came into line, relieving the Second Corps. 

The bank along which for miles the Confederate army 
was massed and where they had erected strong earthworks, 
was 100 feet high at this point sloping about 1000 yards, 
cleared ground to the creek or run. At other points the 
bank was steep, rocky, and covered with wood. The stream 
itself was narrow, but the approach to it was swampy and in 
places an impassable bog. The attempt to attack by assault 
at this point under these disadvantages, was not given 
serious thought, and the Fifth Corps having taken the place 
of the Second, the latter was sent off to try to turn the 
enemy's Right flank, while the Sixth and Fifth Corps at- 
tempted to turn his Left. Warren's two Divisions of the 
Third Corps were taken from the Centre when the contem- 
plated attack was abandoned in favor of Warren's venture, 
which it was determined should be the main attack. The 
batteries of the Centre and Right were ordered to open fire 
at 8 a. m. of November 30th, and at 9 o'clock the Sixth 
Corps under General John Sedgwick was to assault with his 
columns, on the extreme Right of the Union lines. 

With its usual precision the artillery opened promptly at 
8 o'clock on the morning of the 30th as ordered, but Warren 
had seen reason, as stated, to abandon his attack and General 
Meade coinciding with General Warren in his views, the 
waiting Sixth Corps was thus informed at 8.50, and the 
suspension of Sedgwick's assault was made permanent. 
Also as a consequence General Warren relinquished the two 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 743 

Divisions of the Third Corps which returned to the Centre, 
and the Fifth and Sixth Corps resumed their former posi- 
tions. The situation now resolved itself back into its origi- 
nal proportions and relations, except that the artillery fire 
had let the proverbial cat "out of the bag" by exposing our 
position and plans, and the Confederates commenced in 
earnest to reinforce and strengthen their fortifications, per- 
ceiving which General Meade withdrew his army and dis- 
posed his troops in various well chosen positions, to guard 
the railroads, as if anything so manifestly injudicious as a 
Mine Run campaign was farthest from his thoughts. In a 
note on a fly leaf of "The Ofticers' Companion," Lieut. 
Nathan Appleton says "the Mine Run campaign showed the 
disadvantage of having so many corps commanders." 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

Nov. 23, 1863. Brigade drill of 4 batteries by Captain 
Martin from 10 a. m. to ^ past 2 p. m. Quite an event 
for the Artillery Brigade, the first one and very well done. 
Captains Phillips and Barnes acted as majors. Lieut. Scott 
in command of Fifth Mass. Battery. Lieut. Appleton acted 
as adjutant. 

Orders to pack ready for a march. Twenty-five men 
came to the Battery this morning, detached from the in- 
fantry. The whole army set out to move under an order 
which said they w^ere to cross the Rapidan, have a long 
march, and be ready for anything. 

Nov. 24th. Hitched up at 5 a. m., moved out on the road 
at I past 6, in the midst of a big rain storm, and marched 
about four miles towards the Rapidan— the going was very 
l-ieavy— then turned round and came back again to camp; 
arriving at 9 a. m., feeling wet and cross. Ordered to move 
on the 26th, Thanksgiving Day. Lieut. Appleton in a letter 
observes that they were unwilling to repeat the experience of 



V44 HISTORY OF THE 

Burnside's celebrated "mud march," and so turned back. 
His letter proceeds as follows : — "However we were 'under 
orders,' implying that we shall start tomorrow or next day, 
if the weather permits. I hope it will keep dry, as I want 
to advance and let those poor starving fellows out of Libby 
Prison. Why we have wasted the last fortnight I don't see. 
Cutting across Virginia fields is different from driving a 
buggy over macadamized streets." 

Referring to the Brigade drill he says : "You can imagine 
that it was quite a sight to see 24 pieces of artillery, 24 
caissons, over 300 horses, and their complement of men, 
dashing over a field, rattling through ditches, and going 
through lots of complicated evolutions. Such a sight on 
Boston Common would draw quite a crowd. I took the 
part of an assistant adjutant. We are now much better 
prepared (by the addition of the 25 men) to haul our guns 
out of mud holes. 

I read Mr. Everett's speech at Gettysburg (see p. 673). 
It was very good, and the ceremonies must have been very 
impressive." 

Nov. 25, 1863. Drill on pieces. Orders came at night 
to be ready to move the next morning. Extra rations were 
drawn. It was a splendid, moonlight night, clear and 
frosty. Reveille at ^i o'clock, and leaving their pleasant 
quarters, which they were to see no more, they marched at 
daybreak of the 26th with the Fifth Corps to Culpeper or 
Ely's Ford, on the Rapidan River, which they reached at 
eleven o'clock. At the Ford there was some firing by 
Battery C, ist N. Y., Captain Almont Barnes, and Battery 
L. 1st Ohio, Captain Frank C. Gibbs; also at the Right. At 
I p. m. the Battery crossed the river, marched across country 
and at 4 struck what Dyer calls "the renowned Fredericks- 
burg Plank Road," marched to Wilderness, not far from 
Chancellorsville, and bivouacked at the side of the road, 
leaving the carriages in the road, and hitching their horses 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 745 

to the trees. This was about 8 p. m. Got supper and 
turned in about 9 o'clock. During this day's march General 
Meade ordered a despatch to be read to the troops, announc- 
ing the great victories of the Union arms at Chattanooga 
and Lookout Mountain, under General Ulysses S. Grant. 

THE CROSSING OF THE RAPIDAN. 

From Lieut. Appleton's Notes : "After finding that we 
could cross the river with no opposition, we did so at Ely's 
Ford, and soon the artillery was climbing the opposite bank, 
some of the carriages being drawn by ten or more horses, 
and lagging behind at that. I lunched with the officers of 
the 9th Mass. Infantry when we stopped for a noonday halt. 

And now General Sykes was in a dilemma to find the 
road and follow the tracks of the infantry. Here I began to 
act as Aide to Captain Augustus P. Martin, who had only 
one staff officer with him, and the business of looking after 
six batteries is extended and responsible. 

We cut through the woods, and soon struck the celebrated 
Germanna Plank Road (a part of the plank road leads from 
Germanna to Wilderness) which leads to Chancellorsville, 
and for the possession of which there was at that battle con- 
siderable contest. We went on slowly, as many little 
bridges had to be built, and at dusk the Corps bivouacked 
where they were, on each side of the road, the troops coming 
up by degrees, and so falling asleep by the roadside." 

Nov. 27, 1863. At 6 a^ m. the Battery hitched up and 
soon moved by a cross road to the Plank Road leading to 
Orange Court House. The advance skirmished most of the 
way. The roads were so muddy and rough, and frozen so 
hard, that many wheels on the gun carriages and other 
vehicles were broken, but they arrived after marching 8 or 
10 miles near New^ Verdiersville and relieved Gregg's Divi- 
sion of cavalry. Skirmished with the enemy all day. At 
3 o'clock p. m. came up with their main body, and were 



746 HISTORY OF THE 

ordered into action at New Hope Church. Lieut. Scott was 
wounded in the hand by a piece of shell. Fired until dark. 
Got supper and turned in for the ni^ht on the field. Battery 
still in position. Heard chopping all night. Some Corps 
ammunition wagons in the rear had been cut out by the Rebs 
and William Greeley of the Fifth jMass. Battery was cap- 
tured with Lieut. William H. Follett who had been commis- 
sioned to the Third Mass. Battery, but had never joined. 
Captain A. P. A'lartin's mess wagon was captured. 

"The Fifth Army Corps" (Scott's Notes) "found the 
enemy strongly intrenched beyond Mine Run, a treacherous 
stream. The Fifth Corps occupied the Left of the line of 
battle, the Right reaching away to Robertson's Tavern. 
The whole country was almost a wilderness. All the Army 
was up at this point. On November 27th, 1863, the Fifth 
Mass. Battery stood in line of battle on a rise of ground in 
a lane, scrub and brush wood on either side, and a dense 
forest of pines but a short distance across an open swale. 
Nothing to be seen in front. On our right we could see a 
battery engaged, and shell were exploding all about us. A 
lead horse of the Battery was struck by a piece of shell and 
dropped on his knees, but was not killed. An officer rode 
■up to Captain Phillips and asked why he was not engaged. 
Phillips replied that he had no orders, nor could he see any- 
thing to fire at. The officer said : 'Use your judgment as 
an officer. Fire over the woods in your front.' 

The Battery filed into the brush on the left of the lane, and 
opened fire through the woods. No enemy was to be seen, 
and our troops on the left as far as could be seen were lying 
on the ground face down, knapsacks on their backs. A lull 
came in the firing, and the men of the Battery set to work 
cutting down trees and brush, to enable the cannoneers to 
get the limber about in case we had to move out. While we 
were about this duty, a sharp fragment of a shell struck 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 747 

the forefinger of my left hand, and I rode to a hospital in 
the rear and had it dressed. 

Returning to the Battery, I found it had been decided that 
the Left was unassailable, and the artillery was ordered to 
Robertson's Tavern, but remained in position during the 
night." 

FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"On the 27th off at daybreak, struck a dirt road, which 
soon led to another plank road parallel to the first, and also 
in the direction of Orange Court House. On, on, we 
trudged, and soon W'C heard heavy cannonading, which 
every minute grew nearer, mixed now and then with the 
sharp cracks of the carbine. We soon came to the little 
village of Mt. Hope Church, where the Corps rushed on at 
'double quick' to relieve the shattered squadrons of Gregg, 
and a splendid sight it was. The cavalry formed in squares 
by the road side, right glad to be relieved, by the 'Dough- 
boys,' and our artillery rushing on to the front. Captain 
Martin soon got the batteries in posish, and in fact the only 
fighting our Corps did was done by the artillery. I soon 
heard that Charlie Longfellow had been wounded, and stole 
the first minute I could get to run off to the hospital, Mt. 
Hope Church, where I saw the dear boy, lying on the pulpit, 
and surrounded by the officers of the regiment (First Mass. 
Cavalry). He looked and talked well, but I did not have 
but a minute to stay with him, as my biz. then was on the 
field. 

Well, the Rebs retired. Sykes was perplexed. The in- 
fantry in the woods, and the sun set. 

That night I passed with Captain Martin at Walcott's 
camp. One man in the Ohio battery was killed, two 
wounded; also Lieut. Scott of our Battery, wounded in the 
hand. 



748 HISTORY OF THE 

I went again to the hospital in the e\enin_^, but Charhe 
had gone, as they had taken off all except the worst cases. 
I assure you it was not a pleasant sig'ht. Charlie and Bow- 
ditch (Captain Henry Pickering Bowditch shot in the right 
forearm) went off together. Charlie was wounded by a 
ball just under the shoulder blade, injuring the spine, but 
missing the vital parts." 

Of Lieut. ^^Mlliam H. Follett, the ordnance officer who 
was captured by rebel cavalry between Parker's Store and 
Mt. Hope Church. Lieut. Appleton says : "He is a jolly 
fellow, a regular character, whose jokes are well known and 
laughed at all through the Corps. One of his expressions 
for the delights of campaigning, taking off the Irish brogue, 
was : 'Oh, that ever I should lave me nice dacent, clane, 
fither bed, and come out here and slape in a bag, and be 
whistled out like a dog in the morning about two o'clock in 
the night.' " 

OBSERVATIONS OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

On the expedition across the Rapidan in a letter of Dec. 
14, 1863: 

'T do not consider the movement a great military success 
on our part, though I do not know where the trouble lies. I 
think it was about the coldest excursion I was ever on. 
The nights were very cold while we were in position on 
Aline Run, and I do not wonder that some of the skirmishers 
froze to death." 

Of the Fifth Corps Ammunition train he says: "The 
Corps had started from Wilderness. . . . The Ammu- 
nition Train was immediately in rear of the Corps and the 
I St Corps immediately in rear of the Train. While the 
Train was passing along the Dirt Road to cross from one 
Plank Road to the other, they were attacked by about 100 
rebel cavalrv. Some of the teams were driven across the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 749 

Orange C. H. road into the Cart Path, but the greater num- 
ber were set on fire in the road and blown up. 1 he whole 
thing was conducted very quietly, and they might have 
carried off the whole train if the advance of the ist Corps 
had not driven them off. As it was they carried off Lieut. 
Pond, Ordn. Off. 2d Division, and Lieut. Follett of Martin's 
Battery, Ordnance Officer of the Artillery Brigade. The 
wagons carried off and destroyed were, the Artillery Am- 
munition Train, the Ammunition Train of the ist and 2d 
Divisions, and several Head Quarters and Hospital Wagons. 
It was a very cool operation." 



On November 28, 1863, they got hitched up by daylight 
in a heavy rain storm, and the Battery was taken out of 
line, and marched by the right flank to Robertson's Tavern 
and parked for the night. The rebels were in position on 
the west l)ank of ]\Iine Run, and could be distinctly seen 
from where they were. They joined the rest of the Army 
which was massed here and from which they had been cut 
off the previous day. They went into camp at the Tavern 
at 7 p. m. Order came to unhitch and unharness at 9 p. m. 

THE INVALID CORPS. 

(War Department.) Nov. 28, 1863. 

Under General Orders No. 38I, to take effect December i, 
1863, transferred, 
Corporal John Egan, Co. E, 5th Massachusetts Artillery. 

VIEWS OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"The next morning" (Nov. 28th) "saw a fatal mistake. 
Our Corps packed up and went — cut through the woods — 
to Robertson's Tavern, and joined the rest of the Army. 
We should have stayed where we were, and pitched into 
the Rebs. A pouring rainv morn and every one feeling 



750 HISTORY OF THE 

that a big battle was imminent. We frittered away the day, 
and the next morning, Sunday, the 29th, we went out a 
mile to the front, and took our place in the line of battle 
behind some hastily thrown up earthworks. The Second 
Corps spent the day in marching round to exactly the place 
we left yesterday, viz., the Left wing. Thus a whole day 
was wasted. 

The two armies were now face to face, battery opposite 
battery, but still not a gun was fired. The sun set. The 
night was bitter cold. I slept cuddled up under a tarpaulin 
in range of the enemy's batteries, with the strange feeling 
in me, that probably by tomorrow one of the biggest battles 
this continent had ever seen would be fought, and, God 
grant, the rebellion finished; that of the splendid army 
around me by tomorrow night thousands would be killed or 
wounded." 



"Sunday, Nov. 29, 1863." (Dyer's Notes.) "Reveille 
at 3:^ a. m. No bugles blown. Started at daybreak to 
relieve the Sixth Corps. Marched about a mile. Went 
into position about 1500 yards from the enemy. In about 
an hour the Right and Left sections were withdrawn to 
make room for some 32 pounders. No firing occurred to- 
day except by our skirmishers. Signs of a big fight to- 
morrow. Rebs showed a big front today. Very cold." 

The line of battle was across the turnpike near Old Ver- 
diersville. On the opposite side of the Run were the 
enemy's works. The guns which took the place of the 
Right and Left sections, belonged to Battery M, ist Conn. 
Artillery. 

Lieut. Scott went into the hospital tent. His hand was 
very painful, and the night was extremely cold. The men 
slept on the ground without tents. The water in the Run 
was icy, and the approach to the precipitous banks whereon 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 751 

the enemy was intrenched was a treacherous swamp to cross 
which it was said it would take eight minutes, exposed to a 
terrible fire. 

THE PROMPTNESS OF THE BATTERIES. 

"Nov. 30, 1863" (Dyer's Notes), "opened cold and blus- 
tering after a very cold night. Got up at 3 o'clock. No 
bugles allowed to be blown. Hitched up and moved a little 
to the rear out of sight of the enemy. The ball opened on 
our side at 8 o'clock a. m. and continued i^ hours — Lieut. 
Scott took his section into position — but the enemy would 
not respond. During the day two sections went to relieve 
the heavy guns of Sergt. Sims, but General Meade ordered 
us l)ack again. Some ladies passed us going to the rear this 
morning. Orders came to be ready to move any time 
during the night." 

At 4 p. m. of Nov. 30th parked in the woods and kept up 
a big- fire. At Head Quarters a council of war was held and 
a backward movement was ordered. 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S NOTES. 

"Nov. 30, 1863. A cold, raw, windy day. An orderly 
came at four with orders for us to open fire at eight a. m. 
At 8 o'clock we opened fire with 50 guns. No response 
from the enemy. \Yt ceased. I saw Colonel Wainwright, 
whose batteries were next to us, and had a chat with him. 
A little fire from the Rebs at noon which we soon silenced, 
a little more at dusk, and the dav was over. The red flags 
floated gaily over the hospitals for in them were no 
wounded ! At night the order came for half the artillery 
and all the trains and ambulances to recross the Rapidan. 
\\t all saw the meaning, we were to retire without a fight." 

"Dec. I, 1863." (Scott's Notes.) "The mcu-ning was very 
cold. Ice made i in. thick. A picket said to have been 



752 HISTORY OF THE 

chilled to death on the line. Phillips ordered with 3 bat- 
teries to join the Artillery Reserve to recross the Rapidan. 
At sunrise we moved out over fields frozen solid that the 
day before artillery had mired on. At noon with the ammu- 
nition and other trains we forded the Rapidan, waist deep, 
at Ely's Ford, and went into park in a piece of woods. 
Horses stood in harness all night. The whole Army re- 
crossihg the river. The road was blocked with trains 
moving back to the rear. It would be hard to describe the 
situation that surrounded us in swamp and woods. With 
the travel, the road, all had to move on, became liquid mud. 
We kept up a fire all night and froze one side and burnt 
the other. I had not seen a more trying time for the men 
and horses."" 

"Dec. I, 1863." (Shackley's Notes.) "The Centre section 
was ordered to join the others (the Right and Left sections 
ordered out of the earthworks near Mine Run to make room 
for Battery M, ist Conn. Art'y.) and, with two of the Fifth 
Corps batteries and the Reserve Artillery crossed the Rapi- 
dan at Ely's Ford, and went into park about 2 miles from 
the river. Unhitched, cleaned our horses, then hitched up 
and remained all night." 

The place where they parked was near the wagons at 
Richardsville, and here they waited to be ready to march 
with the Fifth Corps when it came along. \Mth them were 
Gibbs' and Barstow's (Battery F, and K, 3d U. S.) batteries 
and they were ordered to report to General Tyler at Robert- 
son's Tavern. The column consisted of the Reserve Artil- 
lery, and one half of the Corps Artillery. Lieut. Appleton 
spent part of the time in the rear with four pieces, and part 
with the other two. He headquartered for the night with 
the Third Mass, Battery in the pines. "Through the night," 
he wrote, "sometimes on foot to keep warm, sometimes on 
horseback and with frequent halts, we had performed the 
tedious march." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. T.v; 

Dec. 2d, about 4 p. m., the Battery resumed the march, 
moving along 8 miles with the Artillery Reserve. The road 
was blocked up with trains, as on the dav before, and almost 
impassable. Sun one hour high they were ordered to report 
back to the Fifth Corps at Stephensburg. At 9 p. m. thev 
hauled out and went into camp near the Third Corps. The 
rear gur^rd notified them that they would be left in the rear. 
A pole of one of the caissons was broken. They waited for 
the wagon trains to pass, for it was imi^ossible to keep in line 
there was so much crowding of teams for right of way in 
the darkness and mud, and at midnight marched with the 
Third Corps 9 miles to Stephensburg, and went into park 
where the Fifth Corps was, i^ miles from Pony Moun- 
tain. Arrived at Stephensburg at daylight. 

"All the Army" (Scott's Notes) "had retreated across 
the Rapidan, and this was the 3d time the Fifth Mass. Bat- 
tery had been with a retreating army across these rivers.*' 

At 8 o'clock of the 3d they fed, and got breakfast, hitched 
up, passed with the Fifth Corps through Brandy Station, 
crossed the Rappahannock, and went into camp, for the 
night, a mile and a half from the Station, pretty well played 
out. Turned in at 9 p. m. They were to guard the rail- 
road to Manassas. Three batteries remained here; others 
at Bristoe and Manassas. Hitched up early in the morning 
of December 4th and changed camp to a more desirable 
place for headquarters, facing the south, about a mile from 
the station. The First Corps was sent to the comfortable 
quarters in the rebel log houses, and the Battery with the 
Fifth Corps was ordered to guard the railroad from the 
Rappahannock to Manassas Junction. The guns were put 
into the earthworks from which they drove the rebels on 
the north side of the Rappahannock River, at Rappahannock 

Station. 

Lieut. Appleton returned t(^ the Battery from serving on^ 
Captain ^lartin's staff. Lieut. Scott received leave of 



754 HISTORY OF THE 

absence for 20 days, on account of his wound, and he did not 
see the Battery again until February i, 1864, when he found 
them at the Station on his return. 

THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS 

TO 

LIEUT. P. F. NASON, A. A. A. G. 

Written at Camp near Rappahannock Station, Dec. 4. 
1863. 

"Sir : I have the honor to forward a report of my Battery 
during the late movement of the Army across the Rapidan. 

With the rest of the Corps we left camp at Mountain 
Creek on the 26th of November, crossed the Rapidan at 
Culpeper Ford, and marched to Wilderness on the Plank 
Road from Germanna Ford. 

The next day we marched on the Orange C. H. road 
towards New Verdiersville. About 4 p. m. I was ordered 
into position on the left of the road, and received a few 
shots from the enemy. 

First Lieut. Henry D. Scott was struck in the (left) hand 
by a piece of shell and his hand seriously injured. 

On the 28th we marched to Robertson's Tavern : on the 
29th at daylight we marched up the turnpike to the heights 
near Mine Run, and I was placed in position in earthworks. 
Four of my guns were soon after withdrawn to make room 
for Captain Pratt's Battery (Captain F. A. Pratt, M, ist 
Conn.) of 4^ inch rifled guns. We remained here in posi- 
tion till 5 a. m. December ist. 

On the 30th, in accordance with orders from Captam 
Martin to open as soon as the firing commenced on the 
right, I fired a little, but without receiving any fire in return. 

On the morning of Dec. ist I was ordered to report to 
Brig. Gen'l. R. O. Tyler to go to the rear with my own 
battery. Battery L, ist Ohio, Captain Gibbs, and Batteries 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



( oo 



F and K, 3d U. S. Art'y, Lieut. Barstow commandincr j 
immediately joined the Art'y Reserve, then on the march 
crossed the river at Ely's Ford, and camped at Richardsville' 
On the 2d I received orders from General Tvler to rejoin 
the 5th Corps, which I did at davlight the next morning. 

During the engagements of the 27th and 30th I fired 30 
rounds. With the exception of Lieut. Scott I have no casu- 
alties to report." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER HOME. 

"We all suffered a good deal, accomplished nothing, lost 
nothing, and were sold. 

Well, here we are, on a hleak and harren hill, doing 
garrison duty in the little forts which we took from the 
Rebs at the fight at Rappahannock Station, with the pros- 
pect of a long and cold winter before us. Lieut. Spear 
has been detailed as ordnance officer in place of Lieut. W. 
H. Follett. The 20th Maine Regiment (Chamberlain's), 
a jolly set of fellows, are close by us, and I expect we shall 
have a sort of heavy English military life 'in the barracks.' 
The train to Washington passes right under our nose, but 
the rub is to get a ticket, for General Meade is superintend- 
ent of the railroad. General Sykes ticketmaster. Captain 
INIartin conductor, and Captain Phillips brakeman, and I can 
whistle for a seat all day. It will be very easy for any of 
my friends to visit me, as all they have to do is to get out 
just as they are going to cross the river, and there we are. 

There are plenty of graves all around of the poor fellows 
who fell in the charge at the fight here three weeks ago, and 
in our own camp we can pick up the shells our own Battery 
tossed at it then." 

December 5, 1863, they made preparations to stop awhile. 
but before night had orders to be ready to leave at short 
notice. 



756 HISTORY OF THE 

Dec. 6, marched to Rappahannock Station to relieve Bat- 
tery C, I St Va. Art'y., Captain Hill, in the works on the 
north side of the river. Very cold and blustering. Put 
two sections into the earthworks taken from the enemy Nov. 
7, 1863. 

LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 
"Camp near Rappahannock Station, 

Dec. 8, 1863. 

Since I wrote last we have been in two fights, the first a 
month ago at this place, when we were hotly engaged with 
the Rebels in the Forts where our Battery is now in position. 
We were very fortunate in coming out of the fight all safe, 
although the shells were bursting thickly around us. After 
the fight we occupied the log houses, working like every- 
thing for three weeks, cleaning up the grounds, etc. Orders 
came to move, and over the Rapidan we went. When near 
Spottsylvania, on the Plank Road, we engaged two Reliel 
batteries for about an hour, having Lieut. Scott wounded, — 
the same lieutenant who was wounded at Gettysburg, — he 
is now at home. This was our only loss in men; some 
horses wounded. I think it was lucky for us we were 
ordered to leave this place as we did, for the Rebel sharp- 
shooters were up in the trees pegging away at us sr^ we 
were obliged to lie flat on the ground, or all get shot in no 
time. One bullet struck the ground at my head, so near that 
I had only to reach out my hand and pick it up, as I lay on 
the ground. We suffered much on this march being wet 
through and our overcoats frozen stiff. At this place we 
are on a hill, the Batterv in position, covering the R. R. 
bridge over the river. It is awfully cold, and we live in 
nothing but the shelter tents, and sleep on the frozen 
ground with only one or two blankets under us. The offi- 
cers tell us to make no preparations for Quarters until we 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. T.-.T 

know for certain where we shall winter. Quite a number 
of our men are sick from so much exposure. Mr. Story has 
been quite sick for several days. He sends his regards. 
I have a severe cold; have not slept warm a night for a 
month. Many of the men sit round the fire all night to 
keep warm. I tell you this soldiering is gay sport! Pork 
and hard bread until one's mouth is so sore he can hardly 
open it. The Boys talk all the time about when they are 
going home, as if it was but a few days, when it is ten 
months. One-half of this time will probably be spent in 
winter quarters. We all have much confidence in Gen. 
Meade, and consider him the best officer that could be 
])laced over us." 

Dec. 8th orders came to make themselves comfortable for 
the winter. Dec. 9th the Third Virginia Battery left for 
Brandy Station. They began to haul logs. Moved their 
tents up to Captain Hill's chimneys, and commenced build- 
ing houses. Orders were read concerning re-enlistments of 
the original members. Dec. loth, thirty-four of the 
men re-enlisted for three years or during the war. 
By Lieut. Appleton : — "Dec. 8th. Perhaps they will 
send some of us out to Grant, as it is ridiculous folly 
to keep this big army here all winter doing nothing. 
Dec. nth. There are only two lieutenants with the Bat- 
tery now, so we have to go on duty every other day. and, 
as the days are very short, we don't have much time to gass 
in listless idleness. Then the newspapers have to be read, 
food has to be eaten, and pipes smoked. By the by, talking 
of newspapers, how solidly satisfactory are the reports of 
the President, Secretary of War, Navy. &c., &c. They 
make out good stories, and we feel that we can believe them. 
'Old Abe's' proclamation is manly. What an old brick he 
is, after all! Our men are getting quite interested in this 
re-enlisting business. Sixteen of the Battery have done so 
already, and I expect that more will. 



758 HISTORY OF THE 

Evening : I saw a lot of cavalry going by this afternoon, 
and I rushed out to see who they were, and on hearinsf they 
were Gregg's I waited for the ist Mass. to pass. I soon 
espied the burly form of Ben. Crowninshield (Benjamin 
William Crowninshield, author of a history of the ist Mass. 
Cavalry), who said that what there were left of them were 
going down towards Warrenton Junction." 

In a later letter Lieut. Appleton describing the events of 
the day of the cavalry fight, thus briefly refers to some of 
Captain Martin's duties at the moment : — "I was riding 
round after Captain Martin when everything was in confu- 
sion, and he was busily engaged in taking care of his six 
batteries, leaving the caissons behind in one place, rushing 
up one battery to the extreme front, popping two guns in 
here, others there, wherever he could find the best shelter, 
keeping some well concealed in reserve, sending off some 
with another Division, and having about as much mental 
and physical work as one man and horse could stand." 

FURLOUGHS: CAPT. PHILLIPS. 

Hd. Ors. Battery E, (Fifth) Mass. 

(Lt. ) Art'y., 
Dec. II, 1863. 
Capt. p. F. Nason, a. a. a. G. 

Sir. 

I respectfully request that furloughs of forty-five 
(45) days be granted to the following members of Bat- 
tery E (Fifth) Mass. (Lt.) Art'y, who have re-enlisted 
as Veteran Volunteers under G. O. No. 191, War Dept, 
series of 1863, and have been duly mustered into the ser- 
vice. If they receive furloughs at the present time I think 
it would induce many more of the Battery to re-enlist. 

Sergt. Harrison O. Simonds. 
" Mason W. Page. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 759 

Corp'l. Elisha J. Gibbs. 
Patrick Welch. 
Private Henry D. Crapo. 
Bugler James Winters. 
Private William H. Dunham. 

" Mortier Gale. 

" Albion K. P. Hayden. 

" John F. Mack. 

" George W. Poole. 

" Amos Blanchard. 

Very respectfully, &c., (Sec. 

This paper was signed by Captain C. A. Phillips, and on 
this day twelve men went over with Lieut. Appleton to 
Corps Head Quarters and re-enlisted. The Battery busy 
drawing logs. Dec. 12, Serg't Otis B. Smith went home. 
Lieut. Appleton went over to Head Quarters with seven 
more men. 

INVALID CORPS. 

War Department, 

Dec. 12, 1863. 

Under General Orders No. 394, transferred, to take effect 
December 15, 1863. 

Smith, Benjamin F., Private, Co. E, 5th Massachusetts 
Artniery. 



December 13, 1863, Sunday, was the anniversary of the 
Battle of Fredericksburg. Two boxes came to Lieut. Ap- 
pleton from Boston, one with clothes. He went to hear the 
chaplain of the 20th preach a good sermon. Of the camp 
Captain Phillips wrote Dec. 14, 1863: — 'T cannot sav much 
in favor of the location, which is one of the most desolate 
places around here. The nearest wood is nearlv a mile off 
in a straight line, and there is nothing to shelter us from the 



760 HISTORY OF THE ' 

wind which blows pretty strong occasionally, today for 
instance. We have been hauling logs the last week with 
much labor and difficulty, and by the end of this week, if 
we do not move before, we shall be comfortably located in 
our log houses." 

Lieut. Appleton rode Dec. 14th with "Bristow" over to 
Army Head Quarters, and passed a pleasant morning with 
Bache, Lyman &; Co. "Bristow" was a nickname Captain 
Martin had given to Lieut. Barstow. On the 15th Lieut. 
Blake got ten days' leave, and went off at 11 o'clock. Gibbs 
was made a sergeant, and Alpheus Haskins a corporal. H. 
O. Simonds was appointed ist Sergeant. Dec. i6th the 
Captain got into his new house, and the whole establishment 
was moved back. The Inspector came. Dec. 17th, Knox 
auctioneered some confiscated sutlers' goods at Captain Mar- 
tin's Head Quarters. They were confiscated for selling 
liquor. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"Rappahannock Station, 

Dec. 17, 1863. 

I am pretty busy just now, and in fact have about all the 
practical management of the Battery, as the Captain is not 
very well and spends most of his time in his log house; 
Lieut. Scott off with his wounded finger; Lieut. Blake away 
on a ten days' leave; and Lieut. Spear detailed as ordnance 
officer of the Brigade, but on the whole I rather like it, for 
it keeps all my time pleasantly occupied." 

Referring to Follett's capture and the ammunition train, 
he says: — "It was rather an interesting little episode. 
Lieut. Follett w^as riding along quietly, with his train of 
ammunition, a Divisioji of infantry ahead of him in the 
road, and one behind him, too, when some guerillas suddenly 
dashed in from the woods, ran out as many wagons as they 
could, set them on fire, took off the mules, and were awa- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 7.;i 

before any troops approached. Lieut. Follett was the only 
man who showed any fight, and he slashed away at them 
weh with his sabre, but he was easily overpowered, and has 
already been heard of from Libbey. Sykes did not like the 
adventure in the least, and well he mightent. While I was 
an A. D. C. I saw a good many of the little straits which 
envelop a general's career, and perhaps have grown a little 
wiser from the initiation. They are subject to mistakes like 
any other men." 

REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Head Quarters Fifth Mass. 

Battery Lt. Art'v., 

Dec. i8, 1863. 
Lieut. J. E. Spear, A. A. A. G. 

Sir. 

In compliance with a telegram from Hd. Qrs. Army of 
the Potomac, I have the honor to make the following 
report : — - 

No. of enlisted men belonging 

to the Batt'y present with the brigade 89 

No. who have re-enlisted 19 

No. entitled to re-enlist 59 

No. not entitled to re-enlist 11 

No. who will re-enlist 4 

The above is as near the probable result as it is possible to 
arrive. In my opinion the number who will re-enlist will 
much exceed that stated above. The promised furlough is 
the principal inducement, and the fact that the men who 
have already enlisted — a week ago — have not yet obtained 
their furloughs, has rendered the men distrustful and doubt- 
ing, and they are unwilling to pledge themselves. 

The actual granting of furloughs is necessary to confirm 



762 HISTORY OF THE 

the intentions of those who have almost decided to re-enlist, 
and this class includes at least half the Battery. 
Very respectfully, &c., &c. 



Dec. 1 8, 1863. The day was cloudy, but the sky cleared 
with a very strange sunset. Appleton rode over to Head 
Quarters and raced back with the cars. 

Captain Phillips wrote on the 19th regarding the re- 
enlistments : — 

"General Meade is trying to find out how many will re- 
enlist and go off on furloughs, and it is said if the number 
is near 20,000, he will fall back to this side of the Rappa- 
hannock, and not attempt to hold his present line, with an 
army temporarily reduced by so large a number. The gue- 
rillas are quite active in our neighborhood, and it is not safe 
to go outside the picket line, or even inside of it a great way 
from camp. Major Edmands, of the 32d Mass. was gobbled 
up the other day." 

Of his log house he says : — "My house was finished a few 
days ago, and is a very good specimen of log architecture. 
The logs of which it is built are all split and the split sides 
put inside, so that the walls can be finished off quite smooth. 
The dimensions inside are 7 ft. by 15; door in the middle of 
one of the long sides, and fireplace opposite. It is not yet 
supplied with a floor, and the other decorations which will 
make it the abode of splendor and ease. The camp will be 
a very good specimen of winter quarters when finished." 

During the five months passed here in winter quarters, 
Lieut. Nathan Appleton sent several communications on 
matters connected with the army, and especially the artil- 
lery, (see p. 52) to officials and to newspapers and the 
following written in December is the first that ever appeared 
in the daily press. It was published in the Washington 
Chronicle, and had "Music for the Army" for its theme : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 70:j 

"Sir. (To the Editor) As you seem always ready to 
accept and publish any letters from the soldiers, I wish 
through your paper to express a w^ant which is sadly felt 
throughout the Army. I mean music. 

Since the time when regimental bands were stopped, there 
has been a great dearth of this pleasant feature in military 
life. Bugles and drums, under whose notes the soldiers eat, 
rise, drill, and go to bed, are not enough. The soul-stirring 
music of brass bands only can supply the deficiency. And 
why should we not have them ? Consider their utility. In 
the long, lazy days of camp life, they are one of the greatest 
sources of pleasure which fall to the soldier, and not only a 
pleasure but a real good. For who can deny the thrilling 
influence of martial or sacred music? In the heat of battle 
the opportune playing of a band may turn the fortune of 
the day. In the burial of the soldier they play their part. 
A regimental dress parade is tame without them. What is 
the objection to having them again introduced to the army ? 
It cannot surely be expense, for that is something this 
country laughs at. If it is the trouble of transportation, 
then let us at least have them in winter quarters, and let it be 
arranged so that a few can follow the army on its marches, 
and help it win some victories. The theory is, I believe, to 
have a band to each Brigade, but as in this arrangement 
there is no one to look after the band, it soon tumbles to 
pieces. If all the musical instruments, now scattered about 
in the different regiments, w^ere collected together and sys- 
tematized, there would be music enough for the army. Here 
is a plan I would suggest : Let one Regiment from each 
Brigade be selected to have a band, and let this distinction 
be a mark of honor. 

Very truly yours, 

The Maltese Cross." 



7 04 HISTORY OF THE 

NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. 
By Lieut. Nathan Appleton. 

"As I have walked up and down in front of the stable, 
seeing that the artillery horses are properly groomed, I have 
often noticed how the national characteristics of the differ- 
ent men appeared in their attitudes, conversation, songs, 
and gestures, as they stood there at work. 

Here is the burly old Irishman, fat, jolly and simple, with 
his hearty laugh and his full brogue, telling how 'the bloody 
baysts' try to kick him, and next him the fair-haired young 
German, always merry and half chanting some hymn of the 
Fatherland. 

Again, we see a canny, rough-faced, wir\' Scotchman of 
whom the thistle is a fit emblem, sturdilv working away, or 
aiming some dry repartee at his companion. John Bull the 
genuine is there also, always dropping his 'h' and saying 
that 'the 'orses never thrive on so few boats.' And then a 
light and airy Frenchman, a favorite with all, turning his 
versatility to the best account, and always seemingly com- 
fortable. 

The American himself, of course predominates, the true 
and best type of Anglo-Saxon blood, whether he be the 
shrewd tobacco loving Yankee, or the more cosmopolitan 
westerner; whether he is an old salt, rolling in his gait and 
wearing ear rings, and his arms well tattooed, whether he 
has left the whirl of the metropolis and daintily tries to 
avoid Virginia mud, or whether, like Cincinnatus, he is a 
country ploughboy; all trades and professions have come 
together, — the half developed boy and the gray haired 
veteran. 

And is it not some great, some glorious object which has 
called together this mighty band? 

'For Saxon, or Dane or Norman we,' says Tennyson, 
yes, and what would he say of us, the people of the United 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 7,;:. 

States? A universal brotherhood, a haven for those of all 
nations who are smarting under oppression and wrong. 
They swarm in this country from every portion of the globe, 
here to possess and enjov those privileges which they know 
belong to them as human beings and as the children of 
God." 

The line from Tennyson is from his poem on the mar- 
riage of Alexandra to the Prince of Wales. 

"Sea king's daughter 
from over the sea. 



For Saxon or Dane 

or Norman we 
Teuton or Celt or what 

ever we be 
We are all Dane in 

our welcome of thee, 
Alexandra." 

LETTER OF WILLIAM H. PEACOCK. 

Serg't Peacock wrote in a letter dated Dec. 21, 1863: — 
I got my house up three days ago, and I tell you, it seems 
good to get into some comfortable place, for we have been 
living in thin shelter tents, sleeping on the frozen ground. 
I have a very bad cold from so much exposure. 

We guard the R. R. bridge at this place. The Battery is 
in two forts. The guerillas raise the devil with us here, 
taking men off in sight of their camp, making raids on the 
trains, &c. They go in small parties looking for victims. 
Some prisoners they send off: others are stripped of all 
their clothing and valuables, and let return to their camps. 
Our boys capture many of them." 



"December 22, 1863. (Private Dyer.) there was great 
excitement about re-enlisting." 

Dec. 23d. There was a snow storm in the morning. 



7(56 HISTORY OF THE 

Lieut. Appleton moved into his log house, and a dozen 
veterans went on 35 days furlough. The order came from 
the War Department that recruits in three years' organiza- 
tions in Massachusetts be discharged with their organiza- 
tions. 

"In this camp" (Notes of Corporal Shackley) "the Bat- 
tery built log houses for officers. Orderly and Quarter- 
master Sergeants, Commissary and cooks, and for all 
the men, nearly thirty houses in all; also a stockade for 
the horses, enclosing about 50 yards square of ground 
by digging a trench nearly 3 ft. deep, and cutting trees 
about 10 feet long, and splitting them in halves, and 
standing them on end close together in the trench all 
around the enclosure except six or eight feet for an en- 
trance. All the materials for the houses, the stockade, 
and all the fuel to warm the houses and do all the cooking 
during nearly five months, had to be brought from one mile 
to three miles distance." 

There were a good many temporary changes in the Bat- 
tery. On the 24th Lieut. Appleton took some more men 
over to Captain Gentry. Orders came to get ready for a 
raid of cavalry. 

On Christmas Day the second anniversary of the Bat- 
tery's taking leave of Massachusetts, Lieut. Blake got back. 
The men had pie and cake for breakfast and supper and 
roast chicken for dinner. In the evening 17 re-enlisted men 
went home on a 35 days furlough, among whom was 
Private Dyer's tent mate Edwin J. Butler. Dyer sent his 
revolver home by Serg't Morgridge. Dec. 26. he was de- 
tailed to act as corporal for 35 days, while the re-enlisted 
men were at home. He took the last part of the night. 
Orders came to be ready for inspection the next day, but 
on the 27th, which was Sunday, it rained hard. They went 
out on the ground, but came back to camp without having 
been inspected. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 7G7 

Dec. 28, 1863. Lieut. Scott in Newport, sent surgeon's 
certificate to Adjutant General and to Captain Phillips in 
the Field. Sutler's goods arrived. 

SUBSTITUTES IN DRAFT.— MONEY PAID. 

War Departmext 

Adjutant General's Office. 

Washington, December 28, 1863. 
General Orders, 

No. 400. 

Sec. 2. And be it further resolved, That the money paid by 
drafted persons under the "Act for enrolling and calling out the 
National Forces, and for other purposes," approved third March, 
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, shall be paid into the Treasury 
of the United States, and shall be drawn out on requisition, as 
in the case of other public moneys ; and the money so paid shall 
be kept in the Treasury as a special deposit, applicable only to 
the expenses of draft, and for the procuration of substitutes. For 
these purposes it is hereby appropriated. 
Approved Dec. 23, 1863. 

By Order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. TOWNSEXD 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



Dec. 29, 1863, Lieut. Appleton left on the 8 o'clock train 
for Washington and Boston, on a ten days' leave, 

FROM CAPTAIN PHILLIPS TO CAPTAIN NASON. 

Hd. Ors. Battery E, 
(Fifth) Mass. (Lt.) Art'y, 

Dec. 29. 1863. 
Capt. p. F. Nason, a. a. a. G. 
Sir. 

In compliance with circular of the 28th Hd. Quarters 
A. P. I have the honor to report, 

No. of men who have re-enlisted in this Battery, 30. 
No. having less than 15 months to serve, who have 
agreed to re-enlist. None. 

I am very respectfully &c. 



768 HISTORY OF THE 

Dec. 30, 1863, Acting Corporal Dyer went over to Head 
Quarters with sick report in the morning. 

December 31st, the last day of the year was very stormy, 
but was brightened by the sight of a fresh supply of goods 
to the sutler for New Years which came in on Friday, and 
opened very cold but pleasant. The Captain's log house had 
by this time a good floor of pine boards, and he had an easy 
chair and a camp stool. The fireplace, built of stones and 
mud, held quite a pile of logs, and kept the temperature as 
high as necessary for comfort. The men had a New Years 
Day dinner of stewed turkey, and Lieut. Spear dined with 
Captain Phillips on turkey which was roasted. The mud of 
the morning froze in the afternoon. 

January 2, 1864. Orders to prepare for inspection. 
Jan'y 3d, Sunday. Battery inspection in the forenoon 
Dyer had company to dinner — dined on bread toast — 
Andrew W. Almy and Fred D. Alden. He received an invi- 
tation to a roast turkey dinner for Tuesuay. 

Jan'y 4th, there was drill on the manual of the piece 
in the morning. It began to snow in the forenoon and 
snowed all day, but the teams kept busy drawing logs for 
the stable. At dark the snow was three inches deep. 
Jan'y 5th it had cleared off and Corporal Dyer went over to 
the Doctors in charge of the sick in the morning, came back 
and went over to Captain Martin's Hd. Ors. to the dinner 
with Andrew W. Almy and Fred D. Alden. The next day 
he had some cake for supper out of Corporal Proctor's box. 
On this day Lieut. Appleton left Boston for camp with 
Captain A. P. Martin at 8 o'clock, and was in camp at 
3.30 p. m. January 7th. The air w^as so cold the snow did 
not melt in the sun. Captain Phillips had eaves put on his 
log house as he found the water leaked into the walls. It 
commenced snowing again at 5 p. m. and continued to snow 
through the night. Dyer was Acting Corporal of the 
Guard. Serg't Nye went on a furlough of 35 days. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 709 

CAPTAIN MARTIN'S COMMAND. 
Defined by Lieut. Appleton. 

"Our Brigade is commanded by Captain ]\Iartin of the 
Third Mass. Battery, and he has as big a staff and as re- 
sponsible a place as any brigadier :— It consists of the Third 
Mass. Lieut. Aaron F. Walcott 12 lb. Napoleons. 

Fifth Mass. Battery, 3 inch Ordnance. 

Battery D, 5th U. S. — Grif^n's Battery, commanded by 
Hazlett killed at Gettysburg, now by Lieut. B. F. Ritten- 
house, Parrotts, 3 inch. 

Battery F and K, 3d U. S. four guns, 12 lb. Napoleons, 
commanded by Lieut. George F. Bar stow. 

Battery L, ist Ohio, 12 lb. Napoleons Captain Frank C. 
Gibbs. 

Battery C. ist N. Y. 4 guns, 3 inch Ordnance — same as 
Fifth Mass. — Captain Almont Barnes." 



January 9, 1864, John H. Olin wounded at Gettysburg 
returned to the Battery. 

January loth Sunday, the snow melted a very little. 
Battery inspection in the forenoon. Corporal Proctor en- 
tertained Acting Corporal Dyer on roast turkey which came 
in a box from home. Jan'y nth Dyer made two benches for 
their convenience. Captain Phillips attended a council of 
administration in the afternoon, to choose a Brigade sutler. 
Mr. Clarke, their sutler, was elected. On the 12th Captain 
Phillips went home on leave of absence for 10 days, with 
permission to apply for extension of 5 days. He left Rap- 
pahannock Station at 11 a. m. Dyer went over with the 
sick to the Doctors. He felt "pretty bad" himself, but was 
"bound not to give up." 

Jan'y 13, 1864. Roll call at the usual hour. It was pro- 
posed to have a four gun battery drill but Lieut. Blake gave 
it up. The next day they had a drill on the piece. On the 



770 HISTORY OF THE 

15th Dyer reported at Captain Martin's Hd. Qrs. at 9 a. m. 
with 5 men, and Lieut. Appleton wrote the letter to Secre- 
tary Stanton on Light Artillery in the Field (see p. 52). 

Jan'y 17, 1864. Inspection by Lieut. Blake, Lieut. 
Appleton called upon Captain Clark of the 20th ]\Iaine 
after inspecting the bridge. Lieut. Rogers called and 
narrated his adventures. Jan'y i8th the Battery had 
orders to dig a trench in front of their houses. It rained 
hard but a system of drainage was laid out. About this 
date in a letter home, Lieut. Appleton urged the sending 
of conscripts to the Massachusetts Batteries immediately. 
He had no doubt there were enough at Long Island in Bos- 
ton Harbor to fill them all. "This should be attended to," 
he urged, "as it is hard on the men to have to do guard duty 
so often." 

Jan'y 19th. Colonel John B. Batchelder the Gettysburg 
man called, and dined with Lieuts. Blake and Appleton. 
Appleton's horses ran away, over to General Sykes's Head 
Quarters. Dyer went over to the Doctor's. The hospital 
had been moved. Jan'y 20th the stockading of the stable 
was commenced and fifty logs erected. Corporal Proctor 
went into the woods with part of the fatigue. 

January 22, 1864, Lieut. Scott returned to camp. At this 
time there were a great many ladies, wives of the officers, at 
the headquarters. They could be seen constantly riding 
over the country. "Rather a rough life for them at best," 
was the comment. Lieut. Appleton's man "Joe" built a 
nice little stable for his two horses. Jan'y 23d was a per- 
fect day, the first one for a long time. Lieut. Appleton rode 
over and called at the 83d Penn., also at the 3d Brigade 
Head Quarters, saw Colonel Joseph Hayes and Lieut. 
Rogers. Very muddy under foot, but the Battery all busy 
at work on the stable. The 24th was Sunday, and Lieuts. 
Blake and Appleton rode up to Beverly Ford to the i8th 
Mass. Regiment. In camp it was decidedly a day of rest. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 771 

Fred. D. Alden dined with Corporal Dyer. The 44th Regt. 
N. Y. V. left for Alexandria at night. Jan'y 25th was very 
warm, and the mud was beginning to settle. Quite a num- 
ber of boards were left by the 44th of which they made 
good use in the Battery quarters. 

Jan'y 26, 1864, George B. Trumbull and George H. John- 
son returned to the Battery. The next day Captain Phillips 
returned to camp in the afternoon and Colonel John B. 
Batchelder who was getting up a plan of Gettysburg, called 
and stopped all night. 

January 28, 1864, the first veterans returned from 35 
(lays' furlough, 12 re-enlisted men, Corporal Welch among 
them. 29th the second lot of 35 days' furlough men came 
back. 30th three more came back from furlough. Several 
more re-enlisted. Orders came to clean carriages and pieces 
for inspection next day. Jan'y 31st, inspection in camp at 
9 a. m. by Captain Phillips. Lieut. Blake started on a 
15 days' leave. 

Feb. I, 1864. Two more men re-enlisted. Feb. 2d. 
Lieut. Appleton came of age. In the evening there was a 
tempest, rain, thunder and lightning. On the 3d the men 
went into the woods cutting corduroy for stabling for the 
horses. Colonel Theodore Lyman called to see Lieut. 
Appleton. 

Feb. 4, 1864, six recruits for the Battery arrived. The 
5th was pleasant and the Battery was inspected by Captain 
Martin at 2 p. m. The Battery, and the officers' and men's 
quarters were inspected. 

February 6, 1864, heard heavy firing all day up to the 
front, in the direction of the Rapidan, and pontoons went 
out to the front in the morning, which looked as if they 
were making reconnoissances. At night furloughs were 
approved for 1 1 more veterans. Firing of musketry audible 
just at dusk. The roads were in good condition, and 
weather fine for small military operations. 



772 HISTORY OF THE 

Feb. 7, 1864, Sunday. Lieut. Appleton rode over to the 
83d Pennsylvania, and called upon the ladies. Heard that 
the firing the day l^efore was a reconnoissance over the Rapi- 
dan. Fred. D. Alden, Andrew Almy and James Allen, were 
visitors at the camp. Eleven more re-enlisted men went on 
35 days' furlough. Feb. 8th Captain Phillips attended a 
council of administration to fix sutlers' prices. The band 
of the i8th Mass. Regiment came down. Serenade in the 
evening. 

Feb. 9, 1864, began drills of raw recruits on the piece. 
The ladies of the 83d Pennsylvania called. On the loth the 
Captain wrote of the stable : — "The great subject of interest 
in camp is our stable, which has been building for about 
four weeks, and is not yet finished. It is made of a stock- 
ade and floor of split logs, large enough to accommodate 120 
horses, and the logs have to be hauled about two miles. I 
have borrowed two wagons from Brigade Head Qrs., and 
now have 5 six-mule wagons hauling logs and gravel, — to 
cover up the mud, — all the time." 

Some of the men played euchre in the evening of the loth 
with acquisitions from the 20th Maine. The next day 
Captain Phillips attended another council at Brigade Head 
Quarters, and six more recruits arrived. Appleton wrote in 
his Diary : "Dined at 5, with Colonel Joseph Hayes, General 
and ]\Irs. Sykes, Messrs. Hayes and others, at 3d Brigade 
Head Quarters, ist Division, Fifth Corps. Quite a little 
party. Mrs. Sykes pretty, and a genuine example of the 
military lady of the U. S." 

By General Orders No. 53, War Department Feb. 11, 
1864, Private W. H. Chamberlain was transferred to the 
Invalid Corps, to take effect Feb. 15, 1864. 

Feb. 1 2th a party from Brigade Head Quarters called. 
Men busy drawing sand for the streets and park. Dyer 
discouraged about his leg. On the 13th still busy drawing 
sand, and Fred. D. Alden supped with Dyer. Lieut. Apple- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 77:5 

ton rode over to Brandy Station and Army Head Quarters, 
with a party of gentlemen from Brigade Head Quarters, to 
show them the country. A pretty long ride, but a perfect 

spring day. 

LETTER OF SERG'T. \NM. H. PEACOCK. 

"Rapp'k Station, Va. 

Feb. 13, 1864. 

Thinking you would like to see a picture of the Hill and 
River at this point, I enclose one taken from Harpers. 
[This was in Harper's Weekly, of November 28, 1863. — 
'The Army of the Potomac. Capture by Sedgwick's Corps 
of the Rebel Works on the Rappahannock near the Rail- 
way Bridge. Sketched by A. R. Waud.' As cut from the 
paper the sketch has been well preserved, and is now in 
possession of Sergt. Peacock in Chicago, Oct. 10, 1902.] 
I consider this a very correct cut. I had a good view of 
our infantry as they charged the rifle pit, and this looks 
very much like it. Our Battery was shelling them out of 
the large Fort on the hill, also the pontoon bridge over the 
River. Our position was 1000 yards in rear of the large 
work, on a flat. The infantry charged under cover of fire 
of Battery D, 5th U. S., and our Battery. It was lively 
work. Our Battery now occupies the large Fort command- 
ing the new R. R. bridge, since built." 

Feb. 14, 1864, St. Valentine's Day. Inspection of the 
Battery at 9 a. m. by Captain Phillips. On the 15th. the 
men went into the woods cutting stockade for stabling. 
i6th, Dyer felt pretty sick, but thought he could work it oft', 
and went into the woods cutting wood all day. At night 
he felt worse instead of better. 17th the mercury was at 
zero. Dyer went to the Doctor's for medicine. i8th the 
Doctor ordered him to the hospital. 19th E. J. Butler and 
William Caswell called to see Corporal Proctor and Dyer 



774 HISTORY OF THE 

at the hospital. Lieut. Appleton started on a ten days' 
"leave." 21st. Battery inspection in the forenoon. Ed- 
ward Smith and William Gunning went over to the hospital 
to see Dyer, and Robert King came back with them to get 
some things for him. 

Feb. 22, 1864, there was a Brigade drill of the batteries 
viz., Barnes', Barstow's, Walcott's and Phillips', four guns 
each. Of this Captain Phillips wrote home: — 

"Rappahannock Station, 

Feb. 23, 1864. 

I am sitting at my desk with my door wide open, and the 
men are playing ball out of doors. Yestprday we had a 
drill of four batteries, which lasted four hours, and was very 
fatiguing. I returned so hoarse that I could hardly speak, 
as it is rather difficult to give orders audibly when four bat- 
teries are rumbling over the ground. . . . Everything is 
very quiet here, and although the roads are now in very good 
condition, quite dusty, in fact, I imagine General ]\Ieade has 
seen too much of a Virginia winter, to be seduced into leav- 
ing comfortable quarters by such temporary inducements." 

The 23d was pleasant. Oiled harness in the Right sec- 
tion. 24th, Oiled the harness of the Centre section and 
painted the Right section. Corporal Proctor and Private 
Dyer rode over from the hospital on an errand for the Doc- 
tor, and found the men busy painting carriages and oiling 
harness. The 25th was pleasant and the painting was con- 
tinued. 

Feb. 26, 1864, the Battery was inspected by Captain 
Martin. Captain Phillips afterwards dined with Captain 
Martin. The Battery received 8 recruits transferred from 
the Third Mass. Battery. 

Feb. 27th. Captain Phillips and Captain Nason, his 
father, and Lieut. Walcott rode to Culpeper Court House. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 775 

The Sixth Corps and some other troops moved towards the 
Rapidan. The Battery received orders at night to be ready 
to march early in the morning. The men finished a new 
mess house. 

February 29, 1864. Lieut. Appleton returned to camp. 
The Army is all under marching orders. 



CHAPTER XX. 
THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 

May 5 to 8, 1864. 

"Headlong motions may be made, but let such be repressed ; 
inertia alone is at once' unpunishable and unconquerable. . . . 
Pause with Twenty-five millions behind you may become resist- 
ance enough." 

— Thomas Carlyle. 

In the period of two months immediately preceding the 
movement of the Army of the Potomac from the Rapidan 
to the James, the spring of 1864, very important changes 
were made. The organization of the Army itself was recon- 
structed, and another commander was appointed, fresh from 
western triumphs like McClellan in '61, but with successes 
more phenomenal, laurels brighter and more abundant, and 
more than all anxious millions of American people, gradu- 
ates of a three years course in the study of the art of inter- 
necine war, behind him, who through their representatives 
in Congress had restored the grade of lieutenant general for 
the special purpose of placing Major General Ulysses S. 
Grant at the head of all the armies, with headquarters in 
Virginia. 

But this time there was to be no farewell address from a 
retiring commander of the Army of the Potomac. General 
George G. Meade was still to retain the honor of the com- 
mand, and General Grant says in his Memoirs, — "I tried to 
make General Meade's position as nearly as possible what 
it would have been if I had been in Washington, or any 
other place away from his command." 

Grant acknowledges that Meade's position proved embar- 

776 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 777 

rassing to him if not to Meade, and in this instance the de- 
feat of his purposes proved a triumph to American arms, 
masmuch as the Army itself felt at once, and from the first 
promulgation of his promotion to power, the direct mag- 
netic influence of his genius, which left no room for doubt 
that his position could never be in Washington, nor in any 
place whatsoever outside the needs and requirements of that 
Army whose enthusiasm had been repressed and its ambi- 
tion checked for so long; every battle, whether lost or won. 
bringing with it its own peculiar concomitant of regret. 
Reaching out beyond all capabilities known and tried, they 
fastened upon Grant as the one man in the confidence of the 
nation, who could be relied upon not only to save them from 
defeat but to encourage them to follow up their victories. 

Having been previously nominated to the grade of lieu- 
tenant general, on the 2d of March, ]\Iaj. Gen'l U. S. Grant 
was confirmed in that rank by the United States Senate, and 
on March loth, 1864. he was assigned by Special Order of 
President Lincoln to the command of all the armies of the 
United States, Head Quarters to be with the Army of the 
Potomac. These were first established at Culpeper Court 
House, while General Meade's were at Brandy Station. 

General Meade began the changes in the organization of 
the Army. The First Corps, having been condensed into 
two Divisions, became the 2d and 4th Divisions of the Fifth 
Corps, and so went out of existence. General G. K. Warren 
was placed in command of the Fifth Corps. The Third 
Corps was abolished. When the five corps were consoli- 
dated into three, the Reserve Division of Artillery was 
broken up, and the batteries were placed in the Second, 
Fifth, and Sixth Corps. General Henry J. Hunt still held 
the position of Chief of Artillery of the Army. Major Gen- 
eral Winfield S. Hancock was given the command of the 
Second Corps, and Major General John Sedgwick that of 
the Sixth Corps. To the Ninth Corps, commanded l>y 



778 HISTORY OF THE 

Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, were assigned the 
regiments of U, S. Infantry ordered from New York Har- 
bor, the 4th and loth Regiments. 

The Artillery Brigade, composed of 9 batteries, com- 
manded by Colonel Charles S. Wainwright, and attached 
to the Fifth Corps, comprised the following: — 

Third Mass. Battery, Capt. A. P. Martin. 

Fifth Mass. Battery, Capt. C. A. Phillips. 

Battery D, 1st N. Y. Light. Capt. Geo. B. Winslow. 

Batteries E and L, ist N. Y. Light, Lieut. Geo. Breck. 

Battery H, ist N. Y. Light. Capt. Charles E. Mink. , 

Battery B, ist Penn. Light, Capt. James H. Cooper. 

Battery B, 4th Regulars Light. Capt. James Stewart. 

Battery D, 5th Regulars Light. Lieut. B. F. Rittenhonse. 

These batteries were all from the old First and from the 
Fifth Corps. To them were added the 2d Battalion 4th 
N. Y. Heavy, commanded by Major Wm. Arthur. 

The armament of the 8 light batteries was as follows : — 

Stewart's, Mink's, Winslow's, and Martin's, each six 
12 pdr. Napoleons. 

Breck's, Cooper's, and Phillips' each six three-inch Rod- 
man rifles. Rittenhouse's six 10 pdr. Parrott rifles. 

In this Brigade the proportions of rifle batteries and 
Napoleon or 12 pdr. smooth bores were exactly equal. 

The number of 12 pdr. smooth bores had been increased, 
the conditions not being favorable to long range artillery. 

In these eight batteries there were 48 guns, 1,196 men, 
and 4 companies of the 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

There were present for duty in the Army of the Potomac 
103.785 officers and enlisted men, with 274 pieces of 
artillery. 

General Benjamin F. Butler, with 20,000 men, was to 
co-operate from the south side of the James River, moving 
from Fortress Monroe the same day that General Meade 
moved from Culpeper. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 77., 

The Army, which then occupied a position on the north 
bank of the Rapidan, was put in motion May 4, 1864, with 
the object of turning Lee's Right flank, the Fifth Corps 
taking the advance, foHowed by the Sixth Corps. 

The enemy, weH protected by earthworks, occupied the 
south bank of the Rapidan, their Left flank covered by the 
Rapidan and the mountains near Orange Court House, 
their Right flank guarded by a hne of fortifications, extend- 
ing from Mine Run to Morton's Ford. 

The Fifth and Sixth Corps were ordered to cross at 
Germanna Ford, and proceed to the Old Wiklerness Tavern 
on the Orange and Fredericksburg turnpike. 

The Second Corps, followed by the Artillery Reserve, 
were to cross at Ely's Ford and take position at Chancellors- 
ville. In advance of each column were the cavalry, and 
cavalry guarded the supply trains, which were to assemble 
at Richardsville. 

General Burnside, in command of the Ninth Corps, was 
stationed at the crossing of the Rappahannock River on the 
Orange and Alexandria railroad to guard that road as far 
north as Bull Run, until he was notified that the crossing 
of the Rapidan had been accomplished, then he was to mo\vi 
forward promptly, and a Division of the Sixth Corps was 
to cover the bridge at Germanna Ford until his arrival. 

The Fifth Corps, marching in silence, at midnight of 
May 3d, 1864, moved from the vicinity of Culpq^er. Tak- 
ing the most direct road to the Old Wilderness Tavern, they 
crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford and bivouacked ai 
the junction of the Germanna Ford road with the turnpike, 
a distance of 20 miles, their line stretching from the turn- 
pike to the Lacey house, and taking in the old tavern. After 
crossing the Ford the several batteries were assigned to 
march with the Divisions, for their better protection, it was 
said, through the Wilderness. The Third and Fifth Mass. 



780 HISTORY OF THE 

Batteries and Battery D, ist N. Y., marched with General 
Charles Griffin's (First) Division, Fifth Corps. 

Across their line of march led two roads, the Orange 
turnpike and the Orange and Fredericksburg Plank Road. 
The enemy had the same designs on our Right flank that 
we had on theirs, and knowing all alx)ut what we were 
doing, started on the afternoon of May 4th to carry out 
their plans. 

The Army of the Potomac halted and waited in the Wil- 
derness, where the conditions were much more favorable to 
the enemy than to them, from 2 o'clock p. m. May 4th until 
5 o'clock a. m. of May 5th. It was thought best to halt the 
Fifth Corps at this place, in order to make the passage of 
the trains secure, and to rest the troops that they might be 
fresh to meet the enemy the next day. 

The rebel general Lee sent Ewell's Corps by the Orange 
turnpike, and A. P. Hill by the Orange and Fredericksburg 
Plank Road. Hill was to be reinforced by Longstreet's 
Corps on the Plank Road. 

At 5 p. m. of May 4th the last of the supply trains having 
crossed the Rapidan at Culpeper Ford, with their guard 
and the Reserve Artillery, the Fifth Corps moved by a farm 
road to Parker's Store, their right extending to the Old 
Wilderness Tavern, four miles south of the river, meeting 
the Divisions of the Sixth Corps not left at Germanna Ford, 
and having on its left the Second Corps at Shady Grove 
church. The Army had marched 20 miles and crossed the 
river on five bridges of its own building. 

On reaching the Plank Road the Fifth Corps met the 
column of the confederate general Hill advancing from the 
direction of Parker's Store. The Fifth Corps formed line 
of battle at the right and left of the turnpike, which was for 
several miles a perfectly straight road and any movement 
could be discerned for the distance of two miles. 

General Meade moved his Head Ouarters to Old \\'ilder- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 781 

ness Tavern and General Grant moved his Head Quarters 
alongside General Meade's. 

General Griffin in command of the ist Division. Fifth 
Corps, moved up the road towards the west, on both sides 
of the pike. General Samuel W. Crawford with the 3d 
Division, and General James S. Wadsworth with the 4th 
Division, moved on a road which led southwest diagonally 
from the Lacey house to the Plank Road, so that the farther 
they proceeded the greater distance there was between 
Griffin's left and Wadsworth's right. 

As Griffin moved forward, he came to a valley free from 
timber, but impeded by underbrush, several acres in extent. 
Across this valley on the crest of a ridge and in the edge of 
the woods, the enemy was posted, and opened fire on our 
advancing troops the moment they reached the cleared 
space. Here was where the 140th New York was cut up, 
crossing the valley and attempting a charge on the opposite 
side, and the 146th New York, both of General Romeyn 
B. Ayres' Brigade of the ist Division, Fifth Corps, in 
assisting them. 

On each side the contestants were completely concealed by 
the peculiar nature of the ground and the growth of wood. 
The Sixth Corps was unable to get in position on the right 
of Ayres' Brigade, and he was completely outflanked. 

While Ayres was fighting on the right of the turnpike. 
General Joseph J. Bartlett of the 3d Brigade of Griffin's 
Division was moving forward on the left, and reaching the 
confederate line compelled the enemy to fall back, until re- 
inforced by fresh troops, who after taking the ground from 
Ayres, moved down on Bartlett's flank. 

Wadsworth on his diagonal road, which led through a 
thick forest, was outflanked on both sides, and, cut off from 
the rest of the Army in the rear, had to fight his way back 
to it. At 6 p. m. supported by General Henry Baxter's 
Brigade of General John C. Robinson's Division, Wads- 



782 HISTORY OF THE 

worth's Division occupied the woods south of the Lacey 
house, from which they drove out the rebels; pursuing them 
until dark, when they bivouacked with both flanks exposed. 

When the Fifth Corps became engaged the Second Corps 
with Hancock in command, which had crossed the Rapidan 
at Ely's Ford and moved to^ Chancellorsville, was recalled 
while en route to Spottsylvania. and marched across coun- 
try to the junction of the Brock and Plank roads where 
they were engaged with the Confederate Divisions of Heth 
and Wilcox. 

The night of May 5th Griffin's Division constructed 
breastworks and occupied them. 

General Burnside with the Ninth Corps, by a forced 
march, came up on the 6th early in the morning, and two 
Divisions under Generals Potter and Wilcox, took their 
position on the road to Parker's Store, between those held 
by the Fifth and Second Corps; other Divisions being as- 
signed elsewhere, and were ordered to move to the left, and 
attack the enemy on the right of the Second Corps. 

By this time many Divisions had been detached from 
their own corps and placed in others according to orders 
latest received, or ordered to positions distant from their 
own headquarters. Then followed more or less successful 
attempts to outflank our troops: including the attack on 
the left flank of the Second Corps, Hancock's famous charge 
on Hill, and the unsuccessful attempt on the Right of the 
Army at 6 p. m. of the 6th when General Samuel W. Craw- 
ford's Division of the Fifth Corps came promptly to its 
support. 

AS TOLD BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

March ist, 1864, the entire Army being under marching 
orders, all the cavalry and one army corps having gone out 
to the front for the purpose of taking Richmond, which 
was thought to be an easy thing, the Confederates having 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 7j^3 

made Braxton Bragg commander-in-chief under their 
President, "We expected," wrote Serg't. Peacock, "to 
move, for a certainty," but the orders were countermanded 
on the 2d and the report came to camp, that Kilpatrick and 
Custer were "slashing around Richmond." 

On the 3d the following General Order was issued from 
the War Department: — 

THE REVIVAL OF THE GRADE OF LIEUT. GEXX. 

War Dep.xrtment 
Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, March 3, 1864. 
General Orders. 
No. 87. 

The following Act of Congress is published for the informa- 
tion of all concerned : 

Public. — No. 12. 

An Act reviving the grade of Lieutenant General in the 
United States Army. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
grade of Lieutenant General be, and the same is hereby, revived in 
the Army of the United States ; and the President is hereby 
authorized, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to appoint by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Lieutenant General, 
to be selected from among those officers in the military service of 
the United States not below the grade of Major General, most 
distinguished for courage, skill, and ability, who, being commis- 
sioned as Lieutenant General, may be authorized, under the direc- 
tion and during the pleasure of the President, to command the 
Armies of the United States. 

Section 2. And be it further enacted: That the Lieutenant 
General appointed as hereinbefore provided, shall be entitled to the 
pay, allowances, and staff, specified in the fifth section of the Act, 
approved May twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and ninety-eight ; and 
also the allowances described in the sixth section of the Act approved 
August twenty-three, eighteen hundred and forty-two, granting addi- 
tional rations to certain officers, Provided, That nothing in this Act 



784 HISTORY OF THE 

contained shall be construed in any way to affect the rank, pay, or 
allowances of Winfield Scott, Lieutenant General by brevet, now on the 
retired list of the Army. 

Approved February 29, 1864. 

By Order of the Secretary of War, 

W. A. Nichols. 

Asst. Adjt. Gen'l. 



March 4th a Bri,^ade drill was held near the Head 
Quarters of General Sykes. Lieut. Appleton rode over to 
Captain Martin's Head Quarters on the 5th, where two 
West Virginia young ladies relatives of the commissary 
of the Artillery Brigade, on Captain Martin's staff, a loyal 
West Virginian, were visiting. The next day was Sunday, 
and many attended the church of the 22d Mass. Regiment 
at Beverly Ford. Divine service was held there in a chapel 
erected by the soldiers. Private Benjamin West went over 
in the afternoon to the hospital to see Private Dyer. 

March 7th the following General Order was issued rela- 
tive to the Invalid Corps. 

THE INVALID CORPS. 

War Department 
Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, March 7. 1S64. 
General Orders, 
No. 93. 

The following named . . . privates, having been duly examined 
and declared unfit for further field service, but fit for duty in the 
Invalid Corps, are hereby transferred .... to the Invalid Corps, to 
take effect March 15, 1864, and from and after that date will be dropped 
from their Regimental Rolls 

Bliss, Cornelius K, Private, 5th Mass. Battery. 

Sanford, John G., Private, 5th Mass. Battery. 



On the 7th Lieut. Appleton pulled down his house and 
Lieut. Blake began his — one for his wife. Private Dyer 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 785 

was advised by the Doctor to go to Washington, but he 
preferred to go to the Battery. 

March 9th Captain Phillips went home on a 15 days' 
leave. Serg't Ephraim B. Nye also left for home. Lieut 
Appleton rode to Meade's Head Quarters at Brandy Sta- 
tion and visited Phil. Mason's and Bigelow's Batteries. 

March loth there was a heavy rain storm, the second 
within a week. General Grant paid General Meade a visit 
at the latter's Head Quarters. Corporal Proctor and 
Pri\ate Dyer asked the Doctor for the 20th time to let them 
go back to the Battery. Pie let them go. The ambulance 
took them back with their things. The Doctor excused 
Dyer from duty for a week. 

The next day it was drizzly, with thunder in the evening. 
An order had been issued for all ladies then in the Army 
to go home. 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN HENRY D. SCOTT. 
Feb. 22, 1901. 

"On the 8th of March, 1864, I received an order to re- 
port to Massachusetts to command a new Battery, the 16th 
just recruited, and as soon as Captain Phillips returned, I 
bade farewell to the Fifth Battery, and saw them only aftc- 
the war was over and they were camped near Washington 
on their way home. I took great interest in their move- 
ments, as I read them after I left, from time to time, and 
I shall never forget the part I took with the Fifth Battery, 
and the good feeling and courtesy always shown by both 
officers and men, and I esteem it a high privilege, the oppor- 
tunity to meet and shake them sincerely by the hand." 

In relation to the Notes contributed to this history which 
had been made from time to time, delivered to assemblies 
of his comrades and since revised, he says: — 

"I started out with the writing of my experience with 
the Battery to leave with my children something they might 



786 HISTORY OF THE 

peruse, as I question none of them will ever have to expe- 
rience what I have, at most I hope not, but I have never 
regretted this experience, however much it has cost me. 

On account of my wound at Gettysburg I was out two 
months, and Mine Run one month. I have often wished 
I could have remained with the Battery to the end, but I 
hope the reader will be able to find some points in connec- 
tion with other writers to make all complete." 

COPY OF AN ORDER— SCOTT'S PROMOTION. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
Executive Department. 

Boston. March 8, 1864. 
Lieut. Henry D. Scott, 

5th Battery Mass. Vol. Lt. Art'v. 
Sir: 

His Excellency the Governor, has requested your discharge from 
the 5th Battery, in order that you may immediately report at Head 
Quarters at Boston, to receive a commission as captain of the i6th 
Battery Mass. Vol. Lt. Art'y-. now in camp at Readville, Mass. As 
the i6th Battery is full, all its officers are needed for duty at once. 
Will you please make every exertion on your own part to arrive at 
Boston at the earliest moment possible? 

By Order of His Excellency the Governor, 

A. G. Browne, Jr., 
Lt. Col. Mil. Sec'y. 

WANTED.— RECRUITS. 

One Sunday in March Lieut. Appleton wrote home an 
acknowledgment of the receipt of some of the posters, 
which on a recent leave of absence he had had struck off 
and displayed in several conspicuous places in Boston, and 
of which the following is a copy: — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 787 

JOIN THE LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

VOLUNTEERS ATTENTION. 

A few more Recruits wanted for the Fifth Mass. 
Battery, Capt. Charles A. PHILLIPS, of Salem. 

YoRKTOWN, Hanover Court House, Gaines 

Mills, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Chan- 

cellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock 

AND Mine Run. 

^^ The Battery is now with the Fifth 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac. 

The RED, WHITE, and BLUE Maltese Cross. 

It has six three-inch rifled guns. 
Fall in, and help fire them off again. 



'\V. H. Keenan, Printer, No. 104, 
Washington St. Boston. 



788 HISTORY OF THE 

March 12, 1864, the Left section oiled harnesses. Drill 
on the manual of the piece. Lieut. General Grant arrived 
at Culpeper Court House, 69 miles southwest of Washing- 
ton, and established his Head Quarters. This point was 
about the same distance northwest of Richmond, and 12 
miles north of the Rapidan River. Six recruits from Mar- 
blehead came to the Battery. 

EXIT HALLECK. 

War Department 
Adj't Gen'l's Office, 
Washington, March 12, 1864. 
General Orders, 
No. 98. 
The President of the United States orders as follows: 
I. Major General H. W. Halleck is, at his own request, relieved 
from duty as General-in-Chief of the Army, and Lieutenant General 
U. S. Grant is assigned to the command of the Armies of the United 
States. The Head Quarters of the Army will be in Washington, and 
also with Lieutenant General Grant in the field. 

IL Major General H. W. Halleck is assigned to duty in Washing- 
ton, as Chief of Staff of the Army, under the direction of the Secre- 
tary of War and the Lieutenant General commanding. His orders 
will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

V. In relieving Major General Halleck from duty as General-in- 
Cliief, the President desires to express his approbation and thanks for 
the able and zealous manner in which the arduous and responsible 
duties of that position have been performed. 

By Order of the Secretary of War, 

E. D. TOWNSEND, 

Asst. Adjt. Gen'l. 



March 13, 1864. Inspection and drill of the Battery by 
Lieut. Scott. Private Philo Braley died at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon, which made us feel "blueish" (Appleton's ex- 
pression), and the next day the Battery escorted him to 
the station with funeral honors. It was a cloudy and windy 
day. Private Lemuel Washburn received a furlough of 10 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 789 

days to go home with the body. 

On the 15th there was a Brigade drill. Out after a snow 
storm. Private Dyer went into the woods and cut a load of 
wood for his tent. 

On the 1 6th Lieut. Appleton went over to a ball given by 
Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Bartlett and staff at his Head Quar- 
ters. A dancing hall was built for the purpose, adjoining 
the house, and decorated with flags. The invitations were 
adorned with the ist Division Corps Badge, which was a 
Greek cross in red. The evening was quite cold, and the 
rooms were rather chilly, but the ball was well attended 
by beauty and chivalry. It was called a good specimen of 
army balls. A number of handsomely dressed ladies came 
from Philadelphia and Washington, — among them a daugh- 
ter of Judge Loring, and the wife of the portrait painter 
Ames. The day before the ball, the 2d and 5th Detach- 
ment guns of the Third ]\Iass. Battery were polished up 
and sent to Division Head Quarters and put in the Ball 
Room. The wood work was oiled with sweet oil, the guns 
were dismounted and carried into the hall and placed ''in 
Battery" on each side of the door. 

Dyer mentions Lt. Appleton's going to the ball which he 
calls "a big time at General Bartlett's Head Quarters." 
On the 17th Dr. Fairchild was staying with them. St. 
Patrick's Day was appropriately celebrated by the Mass. 
9th Regt. Infantry, at Bealton, and Lieut. Appleton went 
down to see them. There was a mock parade, foot ball, 
races, etc. "These," writes Appleton, ''formed the features 
of a bully old jink for the fighting sons of Erin." 

Of Grant he says, "Isn't it splendid that we are actually 
to have him out here? You can't play any bureau work in 
\\'ashington on old Ulysses. I saw a most refreshing sight 
the other afternoon. The 15th Regt. N. Y. Heavy Artil- 
lery, who for two years have done duty in the fortifications 
around Washington, and are 2000 strong, passed by our 



T90 HISTORY OF THE 

camp on the cars, going out to the front. They will have 
an opportunity now to get their pants muddy for once. 
This I take to be some of Grant's doings, and I think he 
means to do more of the same style. Altogether I feel ver) 
hopeful for the spring work, and I think the Rebs will soon 
find some column jabbing at their flanks where neither they 
-nor you now expect. Just get us out of this camp and give 
us something to see. I think the changes all around are 
beneficial, as they shake up men and things, give us new 
acquaintances, instil new life, and weed out some of the 
old deadheads. Corps, Divisions, and Brigades, are slapped 
around right and left." 

March i8, 1864. Drill on the manual of the piece in the 
forenoon. There was talk of a cavalry raid, and they after- 
wards heard that there was a skirmish at Morton's Ford on 
the Rapidan. News arrived that General Grant was tc 
take command of the Army of the Potomac. "How joll}' 
it is," wrote Appleton, "that we have old Grant now at the 
head of the Army. We have our most successful general 
at the top of the ladder, and the Rebs have one of their 
most unsuccessful ones at the same place. Let us hope that 
this is a good omen. Scott leaves our Battery to take com- 
mand of the 1 6th, as soon as he can get his discharge 
Kilpatrick's cavalry, in detachments, keeps passing out 
camp every day, going out to the front from Washington 
and they will soon be ready for some more fun. 

We had the hedge fixed on the i8th and there was a little 
dance at General A. P. Martin's Head Quarters." 

VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. 

War Department 
Adj't General's Office, 

Washington, March 18, 1864, 
General Orders, 
No. III. 
The name of the organization authorized by General Orders No. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 701 

105, War Dept. 1863, as an "Invalid Corps," is hereby changed to that 
of "Veteran Reserve Corps." All orders relating to the Invalid Corps 
will remain in force as at present, with respect to the Veteran Reserve 
Corps. 

By Order of the Secretary of War, 

E. D. Town SEND. 

Asst. Adj't Gcn'l. 



Alarch 19, 1864. Excitement about the Rebs. Report 
that Grant was coming out to the Army. 

LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 

"Camp near Rappahannock Station, 

March 19, 1864. 

We are expecting an attack at this station every hour. 
Stuart (Confederate cavah^y general) is on a raid, and he 
will probably try and give us a call, as there are a good lot 
of stores in this vicinity. We can see his camp fires in 
the distance. It is reported he has 8000 cavalry and two or 
three batteries with him. General Sykes of oiu' Corps is 
making big preparations to receive them. Last night our 
horses were harnessed and remained so all night. Rumor 
says this is the night for the attack. 

The 1 8th Mass. Infantry came up from Beverly Ford, 
about two miles from here, and remained near our camp all 
night. All of the other infantry were out under arms, as 
they are also tonight. We have orders to sleep with our 
clothes on. I suppose Stuart wants to make up for Kil- 
patrick's raid, but no go this time, as we are so well pre- 
pared for him." 

"At dusk" (Dyer's Notes 19th) "an Order came to put 
our guns in position in the forts, as they expected a cavalry 
raid. The i8th Mass. Regt. laid out in a field below us all 
night with their guns stacked." 

March 20, 1864. Sunday. Inspection of the Battery 



792 HISTORY OF THE 

today by Lieut. Scott. Drilled some and went into camp. 
Dyer got excused from fatigue duty for being the cleanest 
man at guard mounting. 

March 21st. Lieut. Appleton went over to General Mar- 
tin's as a member of a Board. Lieut. Scott received his 
discharge. Dyer passed the evening at the camp of the 20th 
Maine. 

March 22, 1864. Lieut. Scott left in the morning for 
Boston and his new battery. Very cold day. Snow in the 
afternoon and all night. 23d. Snow on the ground, six 
inches deep on a level, but the morning was clear. Camp 
awakened by the "merry sound of the bugle." Captain 
Phillips had got as far as Washington on his way back to 
camp, and called upon Hon. John B. Alley a member of 
Congress from Massachusetts, about regimental organiza- 
tion of Massachusetts Artillery. (See p. 52.) 

ARMY CORPS. 

War Department, 
Adj't Gen'l's Office, 
Washington, March 23, 1864. 
General Orders, 
No. 115. 

I. By direction of the President of the United States, the number 
of Army Corps comprising the Army of the Potomac, will be reduced 
to three viz., the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Corps. The troops of the 
other two Corps, viz., the First and Third, will be temporarily reor- 
ganized, and distributed among the Second, Fifth, and Sixth, by the 
Commanding General, who will determine what existing organizations 
will retain their Corps Badges and other distinctive marks. The Staf? 
Officers of the two Corps which are temporarily broken up, will be 
assigned to vacancies in the other Corps, so far as such vacancies may 
exist. Those for whom there are no vacancies, will cease to be con- 
sidered as officers of the General Staflf of Army Corps. 

II. Major General G. K. Warren is assigned by the President to 
the command of the Fifth Army Corps. 

By Order of the Secretary of War, 

E. D. TOWNSEND, 

Asst. Adft General. 



I 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 71)3 

March 24, 1864. Captain Phillips returned from his 
"leave," about 2 p. m. Lieut. Gen'l Grant came down on 
a special train just ahead of the one Captain Phillips was 
in. Maj. General Sykes was relieved of his command, and 
Major General Warren was put in his place. Troops were 
constantly arriving in the cars. 

March 25, 1864. In the reorganization Colonel Charles 
S. Wainwright of the ist New York Artillery was to be 
Chief of Artillery of the 5th Corps. Captain Phillips 
passed the night at Captain Martin's Head Quarters. 
Private Dyer went into the woods and cut a load of wood 
for his tent and brought it to camp with Wm. Pinder's 
team towards night. 

Of the change in the commanders of the Artillery, Cap 
tain Phillips in a letter of March 27th, 1864, says: "Colonel 
Charles S. Wainwright of the ist N. Y. Artillery, who has 
been Chief of Artillery in the First Corps, will probablv 
be chief of artillery for the 5th Corps, and Captain Martin 
will be obliged to return to his battery. It is hard, after 
being Chief of Artillery, to be only captain once more." 

But this was what Appleton indicated as likely to happen, 
in his Artillery paper, see p. 52. 

March 27th, 1864. Sunday. Lieut. Appleton went to the 
chapel at Beverly Ford, and heard an excellent sermon. In 
the evening there was singing in the camp. 

March 28th was a beautiful spring day. The mud was 
drying up very fast. Lots of troops going out on the cars 
to the front. Dyer mentions a visit from Andrew Almv 
and Fred Alden, and says Almy "discoursed some fine music 
on the accordeon." The Battery was photographed: two 
views were taken of the Battery, and one of the camp. 

March 29th Lieut. Blake started on a leave of ten days. 
Captain Martin on a leave of five days, leaving Captain 
Phillips in command of the Artillery Brigade. It com- 



794 HISTORY OF THE 

menced raining about one o'clock p. m. and at Taps it poured 
down in torrents. 

March 30th it was still raining. The Rappahannock 
River rose eleven feet, the pontoons were strung up, and 
water everywhere. The bridge across the Rappahannock 
was washed off its foundations by trees falling against it 
that floated down the river, so the cars could not run. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"March 31, 1864. Since I have written our stupid old 
army has actually been reorganized, as you see by the 
papers. The First Corps comes into the gallant Fifth, and 
we keep our name, our honor, and our Maltese cross. The 
Artillery Brigade falls to the command of our friend Colonel 
Wainwright, though Martin has not as yet been actually 
relieved. Our Corps (Fifth) now extends from Bristoe to 
the Rapidan, with General Warren's Head Quarters at 
Culpeper Court House. But best of all the immortal 
Grant is our own. It so happens that I am the only 
officer at present with the Battery, and I am therefore in 
command. Captain Phillips commands one part of the 
Brigade, that is, the Fifth Corps Batteries, as Captain 
Martin is in Washington. Scott has gone, Blake absent 
on leave, Spear ordnance officer, and the new lieutenant has 
not as yet received his commission in his hands, although 
it has been gazetted — thus I am commander, perpetual 
officer of the day, &c., &c. The whole country around 
looks like a big lake. The pontoon bridge was all knocked 
to pieces." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 797 

April I, 1864, Sei-g't Harrison O. Simonds' commis- 
sion as 2d Lieutenant, was received. Serg't. E. J. Gibbs 
was promoted to ist Sergeant. 

ORDERS FOR THE COUNTERSIGN. 

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac. 

April 2d, 1864. 
Orders. 

Countersign. 

April 3d, Boston. 
4th, Albany. 
5th, Newport. 
" 6th, Baltimore. 
" 7th, Chicago. 

8th, Saint Louis. 
9th, Lexington. 

By command of Maj. Gen'l Meade, 

(Signed) S. Williams, A. A. G. 

Official. 

Fred T. Locke, 

Asst. Adft Gen'l 

April 2, 1864, Captain A. P. Martin and Captain Charles 
A. Phillips returned to their commands, and Lieut. Simonds 
joined the mess. 

April 4th, Lieut. Appleton went over to Captain Mar- 
tin's Head Quarters where were Colonel Wainwright and 
his staff. It snowed and rained. Colonel Wainwright 
assumed command of the Artillery Brigade 5th Corps. 

April 6th, Corporal Newhall was promoted to Sergeant 
George L. Newton and Andrew W. Almy were promote 1 
to corporals. 

April 8, 1864. Orders came for the sutlers to leave by 
the 1 6th of the month. Corporal Stiles was promoted to 
sergeant. Lieut. Appleton rode over to the Reserve Artil- 
lery. 

April 9, 1864. Lieut. Blake returned from leave. The 
Rappahannock had risen 17 feet, it being the highest it had 



79 8 HISTORY OF THE 

ever been. The pontoon house and bridg-e were washed 
down stream in the morning. 

April lo, 1864, a minute inspection of the Battery and 
quarters took place by Captain Phillips. Big freshet on 
the river and all around. The bridges were all down be- 
tween the camp and \\'ashington, including the bridge at 
Cedar Run. No trains had come through since the previous 
night. All leaves of absence and furloughs had ceased. 

Captain Phillips wrote on April loth in relation to the 
artillery : 

"The reorganization has left us in a rather unsettled state. 
Captain Martin has ceased to be Chief of Corps Artillery, 
but for the present the batteries belonging to the old Fifth 
Corps form a demi-brigade, under his command. Some of 
our batteries will go into the Artillery, but we shall remain 
in the new Fifth Corps. It is so muddy as to render any- 
thing like drill out of the question." 

Again on the i6th he wrote: "For the present, and until 
the Corps is assembled at Culpeper, the batteries north of 
the river are organized in a half-brigade, commanded by 
Captain Martin. For four days, while Captain Martin 
was in Washington, and before Colonel Wainwright was 
appointed, I was acting Chief of Artillery, while Lieut. 
Appleton had the satisfaction of signing himself 2d Lieut, 
commanding the Battery." 

April 10, 1864, General Grant was at Culpeper. On the 
nth trains from Washington arrived in the evening. The 
night of the 12th Colonel Wm. S. Tilton passed with the 
Battery. 

April 13, Dyer was on extra fatigue duty for not attend- 
ing drill call, but as there was a pretty merry crowd on, 
they had a pretty jolly time. Colonel Tilton was sent off 
in an ambulance. The sutlers were selling off cheap, as 
they were obliged to go to the rear with the wagon trains. 
April 14, 1864. Battery drill in the forenoon. The 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 799 

sutlers left the camp. On the 15th a trench was dug in 
the stable and the place the sutler occupied was cleaned up. 
Battery drill in the forenoon. In the afternoon Captain 
Phillips selected a spot for target practice just over the 
river near the fort, firing down river towards Kellyville. 
Good ranges up to 1500 yards. Two recruits arrived. 
Ordered to turn in surplus clothing to reduce baggage. 

April 1 6th it rained all day, postponing the target practice. 
The men's surplus baggage was sent off. Unserviceable 
Quarter Master's property and clothing, camp and garrison 
equipage was inspected. Orders came to be ready to march 
by the 21st. The entire Army under marching orders. 
Did not shoot on account of the rain. 

April 1 8th. Dyer was busy all day "making a tent against 
we marched." General Charles Griffin and others called 
Page got extra guard duty because the man on No. i post 
failed to salute General Griffin. The ist Michigan vets, 
(see p. 561) rettu'ned. Perfect day. 

LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"April 19, 1864. The Arm}- is completely ready, and we 
sha'n't be surprised any morning to have the order — 'For- 
w'ard, Army of the Potomac!' The story now is that the 
Veteran Reserve Corps, — the old Invalid Corps, — are to 
have the honor of defending the Capital. In that case the 
Army of the Potomac can move independently, a thing, by 
the by, which it has never been able to do, and one that 
is quite ignored by the 'On to Richmonders.' Send ever} • 
body out immediately. General Grant keeps reviewing 
different slugs of the Army every day. Our Battery was 
out target shooting this morning, as all the artillery and 
infantry have been doing for the last month. We are ver\ 
well filled up now with all our recruits." 

At the target shooting from a hill over the river. General 



800 HISTORY OF THE 

Griffin, Captain Martin, and several other officers were 
present. The targets were placed at 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 
and 1700 yards. Made several holes in the 1000 yards 
target. The Battery fired 36 shots. At dress parade an 
Order for the cannoneers to fall in at all calls was read. 

April 20, 1864. Battery drill in the forenoon and drill 
on the manual of the piece in the afternoon. The awkward 
squad also drilled. 

April 2 1 St. George H. Johnson was thrown from a horse 
and received a broken wrist. Battery drill in the forenoon. 
Drill on the manual of the piece in the afternoon. Dyer 
says, "The weather was changeable, from wind, snow, and 
rain, to the hot torrents of the sun." 

xA.pril 22d. Battery drill. Lieut. Appleton met General 
Gregg on the way to Martin's. 

April 23d. Orders were received to clean up for inspec- 
tion the next day. All the old things belonging to the 
Battery were condemned. Ordnance stores were inspected 
by Lieut. Breck ist N. Y. Artillery. An Order was read 
at dress parade relating to applications to prepare for com- 
missions in colored troops. 

April 24th the Battery was inspected by Captain Phillips. 
It was Sunday. Lieut. J. Edward Spear passed the night 
with Lieut. Appleton. Some thought they were waiting 
for General Burnside to get all ready, before moving. In 
the evening Private Dyer took a walk up the railroad. On 
the 25th Lieut. Appleton rode with Dr. Fontaine to Brigade 
Head Quarters near Culpeper, w^ent into the town and came 
home in the dark. 26th. Drill on the pieces for upwards 
of three hours in the forenoon. Drill on the manual of the 
piece in the afternoon. 

April 27th had a very long drill, both forenoon and after- 
noon. At guard mounting a gale of dust came blowing 
over the hill, which made the officers beat a hasty retreat 
for their quarters. Appleton wrote: "We have drills con- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 801 

stantly and are quite ready to be in the saddle, with our bed 
in the mud. The tremendous luh here seems almost strange 
at the present time, but when we are off we think it will be 
short and stupendous. The news all around the edges ot 
the Confederacy is bad at present, but to us absorbed in 
what must soon take place here, these disasters give little 
annoyance." 

April 28, 1864. Lieut. Appleton went in the evening 
to a "sociable" at the 3d Brigade. 29th. After fatigu:- 
duty Bob King and John E. Dyer went up to the statiori 
with the teams for grain and hay. The same day Dye: 
finished his tent. Various rumors of Burnside's troops 
coming up the railroad. All ready to move. Ephraim B. 
Nye, with his battery, the 14th Mass., came right into the 
camp, which they occupied when the Battery left. The 9th 
Corps arrived to relieve the Fifth in guarding the railroad. 
The Pennsylvania Reserves and Rittenhouse's Batter) 
crossed the river and marched to Brandy Station. 

LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK. 

"Rappahannock Station, Va., 

April 30, 1864. 
The 9th Army Corps arrived today, and is relieving all 
of the old troops from Warrenton to the Rappahannock. 
... I dread the coming campaign, — sleeping without tents 
and marching by day and night. The next battle of this 
Army will be a rouser. The rebels of Lee's Army are ali 
ready for us, and are said to be 90,000 men. They will 
give us a tough pull, if my opinion amounts to anything 
Today I was up to Brandy Station, 5 miles from here 
drawing ordnance stores. You can form no idea of the 
bustle and confusion at this Depot when the Army is getting 
ready to move. It looked to me as if one thousand or more 
wagons were waiting to load, and there were immense piles 



802 HISTORY OF THE 

of ammunition, all kinds, ordnance stores, &c., &c., and 
piles of boxes of hard bread as high as two or three story 
houses. It reminded me some of a wharf in New York, 
with 12 or 15 ships loading and unloading." 



"It is resolved — they march — consenting Night 
Guides with her star their dim and torchless flight. 
Already they perceive its tranquil beam 
Sleep on the surface of the barrier stream. 

A moment's pause, 'tis but to breathe their band, 
Or shall they onward press, or here withstand? 
It matters little— if they charge the foes 
Who by the border-stream their march oppose. 
Some few, perchance, may break and pass the line 
However link'd to baffle such design." 

— Byron's ''Lara.'' 

May I St, 1864, the Fifth Corps having been ordered to 
assemble at Culpeper Court House, Orders came at 3 a. m. 
for the Battery to cross the Rappahannock with Griffin's 
1st Division and the two other batteries, and march at 
9 a. m. in the following order : 

1st Brigade, Fifth Mass. Battery. 

2d Brigade, Third Mass. Battery. 

3d Brigade, Battery D, ist N. Y. Artillery. 

The Division looked splendidly. 

They crossed the river at Rappahannock Station, and 
went into park a short distance beyond Ingalls Station, and 
north of Brandy Station. Everybody slept on the ground. 

May 2, 1864. Went about three miles to water horses. 
Lieut. Appleton passed a very delightful morning at General 
Meade's Head Quarters. Lunched there with all the 
fellows. Marched at 5I p. m., in a terrible storm of wind 
and dust, followed by a heavy rain which continued till they 
came near Culpeper. Camped in the vicinity of the railroad 
bridge over Mountain Run, cold and wet. Shackley says. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 803 

"We passed the night in misery in our wet clothes, with 
no fire nor fuel to make one." A load of hay came for the 
men to lie upon. It ceased raining about 8, and they ear 
mpper and went to bed pretty tired. 

May 3, 1864, was cold and windy, the Blue Ridge a few 
.niles distant was white with snow. Remained in camp 
all day and were told they would remain there for two or 
three days. Unpacked, pitched tents, and received orders 
to clean up for review the next day. Colonel Wainwright 
visited the camp. The Demi-Brigade was dissolved. 
Appleton calls it the "Demise of the Demis." Captain 
Martin took command of his own battery, the Third Mass., 
and Lieut. Spear came back to the Fifth Mass. Battery. 
In the evening rations were given out for 6 days. Rumois 
of a move on foot. Rumored the Rebs had evacuated in 
our front. At 11.30 p. m. Orders came to march at 12. 
The Army was to advance in two columns. The Fifth 
and Sixth Corps forming the Right, were to cross at Ger- 
manna Ford, and the Second Corps with the cavalry under 
Sheridan at Ely's Ford, six miles farther down. The Third 
and Fifth Mass. and Battery D, ist N. Y., fell in behind 
Griffin's First Division. 

Reveille at midnight! "Boots and Saddles" immediately 
after cleaning horses. 

BREAKING CAMP. APPLETON'S NOTES. 

"The breaking camp at night and starting on the march, 
is a beautiful and inspiring sight. The country around 
for miles is lit up by a thousand fires, which sparkle like 
so many glowworms. Tents are struck and folded, horses 
are neighing and pawing impatiently in the cool night air, 
the artillery is harnessed and stands parked, ready for the 
word to move, officers are riding around seeing that every- 
thing is in readiness while all feel through their veins the 
electricity inspired by the prospect of change and activity, 



804 HISTORY OF THE 

after the long days and nights of quiet. Silently, and in 
good order, the troops filed forth by the different roads, 
the cavalry having gone on in advance, and sunrise found 
the main body of the Army at the banks of the Rapidan, 
and ready to cross the stream. 

The pontoons were then laid,- and over we went again 
into the enemy's country, and all day long, under the rays 
of a hot spring sun, so hot that many threw away theii 
blankets and extra clothing. 

Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching,' until as 
the afternoon shadows were lengthening, we halted on the 
edge of the Wilderness, where the pickets were carefully 
posted, and the order given to bivouac for the night." 



They crossed the Rapidan without opposition, and marched 
till about 2 of May 4th p. m., when they came into position 
6 miles from Chancellorsville, within five miles of ]\Iine 
Run, a hard march of 25 miles. The entire Army was in 
position in the Wilderness. The camp was close to the 
house where "Stonewall" Jackson was brought when he 
lost his arm the year before, and they found the old line 
of works which were hastily thrown up by the Third Corps 
at the Battle of Chancellorsville. 

BULLETIN FROM GENERAL AIEADE. 
READ TO THE SOLDIERS. 

He-ad Quarters Army of the Potomac, 
May 4, 1864. 
(Extract.) 
"Soldiers : 

.... You have been reorganized, strengthened and fully equipped 
in every respect You form a part of the several armies of your 
country, the whole under the direction of an able and distinguished 
General, who enjoys the confidence of the government, the people, and 
the army. Your movement bemg in co-operation with others, it is of 
the utmost importance that no efifort should be left unspared to make it 
successful. . . . 

Geo. G. Meade, 
Maj. Gcn'l Commanding. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 805 

Appleton wrote of the close of the day of May 4th that 
he "listened to the music and retired under a 'Hv.' Tlie Eve 
of Battle." Warren's Fifth Corps was in advance of the 
Right wing of the Army encamped on the Wilderness pike. 
Ewell's Corps of Lee's army was encamped directly opposite 
\\'arren's, each ignorant of the other's whereabouts, but 
when the Fifth Corps made ready to resume its march on 
the morning of Thursday, May 5th, they found the enemy, 
unexpectedly, confronting them, and were forced to fight 
him where he was, IMeade concentrating the several armv 
corps for that purpose. The Wilderness was a mining 
country. The timber of large growth had been cut dowii 
for miles around, for use in developing the mines, and the 
wood of smaller growth was a dense mass of scrub oaks, 
low pines, and underbrush, where it was an impossibility t ) 
form troops in line of battle or for the officers to see more 
than a small number of their commands at one time. The 
artillery could not be taken into the underbrush, and could 
only co-operate with the infantry by the use of a piece or a 
section at certain points. Cavalry was still less available. 
But here the Fifth Corps met the advance of Lee's Army. 

THE FIGHT OF MAY 5. 

May 5, 1864, at daylight. Battery in position where they 
first encamped. The Rebs came up about 8 a. m. The 
report was brought in that they were coming down upon 
them. In position on a high knoll commanding the valley 
and the road to Parker's Store, just in front of the Lacey 
house, to the left of the turnpike, and not far from the 
Head Quarters of General Grant and General Meade. 

The Right section, commanded by Lieut. J. E. Speai 
was in position on the Gordonsville road, about noon and 
fired 13 rounds. The infantry firing was very heavy. Near 



506 HISTORY OF THE 

them were Battery D, 5th U. S., Battery H, ist N. Y., arid 
B, I St Pennsylvania. 

General Griffin, advancing up the turnpike with one sec- 
tion of Battery D, ist N. Y. Light Battery, Capt. Geo. 
B. Winslow, opened the fight at 2 p. m. and was heavily 
engaged where the 140th New York Infantry made its 
fatal charge and Captain Winslow and Lieut. A. S. Sheldon 
were wounded. Captain Winslow lost two guns, and the 
remaining four guns were placed in position on the right 
of the section of the 5th Battery which was posted on the 
pike. 

Powell's History of the Fifth Corps has it that a section 
of the Battery "replied to and several times silenced a Con- 
federate battery similarly posted at a distance of about 14CO 
yards." 

We drove the enemy off the road. 

There was very heavy musketry firing all day, continuing 
till 8 o'clock in the evening. At that time unharnessed and 
turned in, having gained ground. 

By Lieut. Nathan Appleton : "We were covering an 
open piece of land, while the fighting was taking place in 
the tangled woods, a half mile or so in advance. General 
James S. Wadsworth led his Division through this field, 
with ranks full and banners weaving, to the woods, where we 
could distinctly hear the dread rattle of musketry. At 
length I noticed the men coming back, singly and in 
squads, limping and on stretchers, and evidently in disor- 
der. Something had gone wrong, and the old general was 
rushing about with drawn sword rallying his men around 
a flag which he had placed in position. He seemed to do all 
the work himself, and I could not resist the temptation of 
mounting my horse, riding up to him, saluting, giving my 
name, and asking if I could be of any use. I thought that 
at least I might try to stop his men from passing to the 
rear, through the two guns of my section of the Battery. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 807 

He thanked me, and in a short time he had re-organized 
his broken Division, and was ready for more fighting, and 
this came the next day, May 6, 1864, when he received a 
wound in the head from which he died two days later." 

THE FIGHT OF MAY 6. 

The fight opened at dayhght, 5 a. m. and lulled at 10, 
commenced again at 4, and was continued till 9 p. m. We 
gained ground on the Left, but lost on the Right. The 
firing of the musketry was one continuous roll. The Battery 
lay still all the morning. Burnside's troops came up. In 
the afternoon reported to General Griffin. In the main line 
held by the Fifth Corps were the Fifth Mass. Battery and 
Battery D, ist N. Y., now commanded by Lieut. Lester I. 
Richardson. The New York Battery was on the right of 
the turnpike; the Fifth Mass. Battery across the pike; 
the Third Mass. Battery, Battery H, ist N. Y., L, 
ist N. Y., and B, ist Pennsylvania to the left. At 
six o'clock a part of the Sixth Corps fell back, causing 
general excitement, and "all that night (Appleton's Letters) 
there was a mass of men marching through and over us, 
as we lay in bivouac trying to sleep. It was the Sixth 
Corps falling back in confusion, and communication on the 
Right of the Orange and Alexandria R. R. to Washington 
was lost, and must be established on the Left, by the rivers.'' 
Dyer writes : "The whole of the Sixth Corps gave way, and 
that flanked the Fifth Corps, so part of that gave way about 
dark. The rest of the 5th was firm." 

Of the fight of May 6th Corporal Shackley wrote, "Fight- 
ing very severe, but did not fire. Towards night the other 
two sections (the Centre and Left) were brought into line. 
About sunset the Right wing (6th Corps) broke, and there 
was quite a panic. General Griffin met the stragglers in 
th.e rear of our guns, and most earnestly urged them to form 



808 HISTORY OF THE 

line, 'For,' said he, 'I know that my artillery will stand !' " 

THE FIGHT OF MAY 7. 

On Saturday, May 7, 1864, the Battery opened fire with 
shot and shell early in the morning, checked the advance of 
the enemy made about daylight driving in our skirmishers, 
and drove them back into the woods. One spare pole broke 
in action. Kept in position all day. At 3 p. m. General 
Warren was ordered to move the corps-train to Chancellors- 
ville at 5 p. m. and park it, to be ready to move at night, 
and to move the Corps at half-past eight p. m. on the Brock 
Road, via Todd's Tavern, to Spottsylvania Court House, 
passing by the Second Corps, which was to follow closely, 
the Fifth Corps pickets to be withdrawn at one o'clock a. m. 
of the 8th, those of the Second at 2 a. m. This order was 
based on one from General Grant, directing a flank move- 
ment. 

At 8 p. m. of the 7th the Battery started off with Griffin's 
Division. Marched all night, moving by the left flank 
along the line of Burnside's Corps, out on the Brock road for 
Spottsylvania Court House. 

The route was back to the intersection of the Germanna 
Plank Road; to march along this road about a mile and a 
quarter, then to strike the Brock road. About a mile 
farther along cross the Orange Plank road, and, at the end 
of another three miles, the railroad. 

General Sheridan with the cavalry protected the column. 
This was the first of the marches of the Army of the 
Potomac by the left flank, in which the Fifth Corps led. 

FROM APPLETON'S NOTES. 

"On the Brock Road I met several of the officers of the 
56th Mass. Regt. in the Ninth Corps, in bivouac and wait- 
ing to move, later on. 

During that slow night march I occasionally dozed on 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. S09 

my horse, taking cat naps, like some of the stafif of Napoleon 
in Meissonier's famous painting of the 'Retreat from Mos- 
cow.' I may have done so before, but this time 1 recall 
it most vividly. 

As I look back to that fearful three days' struggle, it 
seems to me like some confused and horrid dream. I can 
hear again the incessant crash of the musketry which would 
continue unbroken for hours, with the louder roar of the 
cannon at intervals relieving its terrifying sounds; I can 
see long lines of infantry pressing forward thruugh the 
patches of farm land to their place in the woods, ranks full, 
flags floating in the breeze, and all proud and flushed with 
a hope of victory. I can see them straggling back, in 
grou])s of two or three, even squads and whole companies, 
confused and demoralized, their officers in vain trying to 
rally around the battle-riddled standard. 

Again my ear catches the sound of the rebel 'yell' and 
Yankee 'hurrah,' strangely mingled, as charges and counter 
charges would be made day and night; here long lines of 
ambulances block the road, while back through openings in 
the tangled forests the bloody stretchers come bearing their 
sad and groaning load. The great tents of the field hospitals 
stand up before my vision in their white sepulchral lines, 
well out of reach of the firing, the red flag marking them 
as a place of refuge for friend or foe alike; here the poor 
suff^erers lav, the surgeons bustling about, knife and band- 
ages in hand, while the strains of patriotic music the band 
was playing, would gladden the hearts of the wounded, nnd 
were often the last sound heard, as they gained the victory 
over death. Now a group of Confederate prisoners, in their 
rusty butternut dress, and long uncouth hair, would pass m 
the lines escorted by their guard; the ofificers casting aroun.) 
looks of dogged defiance at their captors; here a battery of 
light artillery is rushed up the road to its position on some 
hill, the horses plunging and straining at the weight behind 



810 HISTORY OF THE 

them; the flags of the signal service are waved in treetops, 
here and there, in a manner mysterious to all the unini- 
tiated; in a continuous line the tired soldiers remain man- 
fully at the breastworks hastily thrown up, and try, at odd 
times, to snatch a few hours' sleep and forgetfulness; but 
amidst all the carnage and confusion around, one quiet, un- 
pretending figure stands out conspicuously, clear-headed, 
and undismayed. 

It is General Grant, the soldier of the people, the person 
upon whom the responsibility fell, and who was able to bear 
it, for, as he sat in his tent, calmly smoking his cigar, 
watching the varying fortunes of the struggle, receiving 
despatches as they were constantly brought in, more and 
more convinced did he become that success could only be 
achieved by blows, not by strategy, and that it was the duty 
of the army to 'fight it out on that line,' at no matter what 
apparent sacrifice. 

So the three days of battle passed. 

This march of May 7th was long and tedious for the 
weary soldiers, and, as is generally the case at night, espe- 
cially in the muddy roads of Virginia, not many miles were 
accomplished as the rosy streaks of the rising sun appeared 
in the eastern horizon. The day was fairly breaking when 
our Division came up to Todd's Tavern, an old wayside 
inn, and the troops were halted, with orders to rest for an 
hour or so, and make their coffee. 

I took the saddle off my horse, and, using it for a pillow, 
tried to seize a few moments' sleep. Ah me! he who has 
passed through such scenes as these will not lightly talk 
of war as a thing to be madly rushed into, and a game fo" 
kings and emperors to play." 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT 
HOUSE, AND LAUREL HILL. 

May 8- 1 8, 1864. 

"God's truth!" sez I, — 'an ef I held the club. 
An' knowed jes' where to strike, — but there's the 

rub!' — 
"Strike soon," sez he, "or you'll be deadly ail- 
in', — 
Folks thet's afeared to fail are sure o' failin';" .... 

— James Russell Lowell, The Biglow Papers. 

The Fifth Corps, followed by the Sixth Corps, was put 
in motion on the Brock Road, at 9 o'clock on the night of 
the /th of May, 1864, preceded by a Division of cavalf}' 
under General Wesley Merritt; their object being to secure 
a cross road leading to Fredericksburg, by which the 
wounded could be sent to Washington. 

They met the enemy the next day about two miles be- 
yond Todd's Tavern, near the crossing of the river Po, 
about 12 miles from the position in the Wilderness, between 
the two most northern forks of the Mattapony river, the 
Po and the Ny, but nearer the banks of the Po. Two 
other streams, southern forks of the same river, are desig- 
nated by the syllables Mat and Ta. 

The enemy was not able to dislodge our cavalry but they 
held Merritt in check, and about 6.30 a. m. General John 
C. Robinson's Division with the Third Mass. Battery and 
Battery L, ist N. Y., followed by Griffin's Division with 
Battery H, ist N. Y. Light, the Fifth Mass. Battery and 

811 



812 HISTORY OF THE 

Battery D, ist N. Y. Light, moved past the cavalry, and 
pushed on about three-quarters of a mile beyond the Alsop 
house. 

They formed two lines of battle across the road, and 
drove the rebels two or three miles. Robinson passed and 
secured the road leading to Fredericksburg, and continued 
to advance until at the junction of the old Court House 
road with the Brock road, he received another check, and 
fell back to the shelter of the woods. 

AA'hile the Third Mass. Battery was being withdrawn to 
a rise in the ground which commanded the valley, Captain 
A. P. Martin was wounded, and Lieut. Aaron F. Walcot<; 
again assumed command of the battery. 

General Hancock with the Second Corps arrived at Todd's 
Tavern the same morning (8th May) at 9 o'clock, and, 
relieving the cavalry, covered the Brock and Catharpin 
roads, and afterwards the Catharpin and Spottsylvania 
roads. At 11 o'clock, Colonel Nelson A. Miles, with in- 
fantry, cavalry, and artillery, made a reconnoissance on the 
Catharpin Road tow^ards Corbin's Bridge, and on the way 
back to rejoin the Second Corps, met and drove back 
Mahone's Confederate Brigade. 

In the report of Major James A. Cunningham of the 
32d Mass. Lifantry, who some years after the war became 
adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
may be found the following : 

"May 8, 1S64, came up witli tlie enemy near Todd's Tavern. The 
regiment was detached from the Brigade to support Battery E, (Fifth) 
Massachusetts. At midnight rejoined the Brigade, and took up posi- 
tion on the left, behind breastworKs already constructed." 

On May 9th Battery B, ist Penn. Light, Captain James 
H. Cooper, held the position on the right and left of the 
Alsop house. Next on the right was Battery D, 5th U. S., 
Lieut. B. F. Rittenhouse. That afternoon about 400 yards 
in their rear was posted the Fifth Mass. Battery, on spacious 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 813 

grounds at the right of the Court House road and command- 
ing the valley towards the Pritchard house. 

On the same day General Sheridan, with the Cavalry 
Corps went ofif on a raid with orders to cut the Fredericks- 
burg and the Virginia Central railroads, to threaten Rich- 
mond, to communicate with and draw supplies from the 
James River. 

While the Sixth Corps was adjusting its lines on the 9th 
General John Sedgwick was killed, and General H. G. 
Wright assumed command of the Corps. 

On the loth the object of the fighting of the Fifth Corps 
was to obtain possession of Laurel Hill. The plan of 
placing the Army at Spottsylvania Court House 11 miles 
from Fredericksburg, between Lee and Richmond, had been 
abandoned when Meade's Army was intercepted at Alsop'j; 
Farm by the Confederate general, Anderson. 

Hancock was ordered to send two Divisions of the Second 
Corps to aid the Fifth Corps in an attempt to turn the 
Confederate Left by attacking their fortifications placed on 
Laurel Hill. Battery B, 4th U. S., commanded by Lieut. 
James Stewart, was posted at the right and rear of the Fifth 
Mass. Battery, close to the Alsop House. During the day 
the batteries remained in position, but all that part of the 
line was quiet. 

The Fifth and Sixth Corps broke through the rebel lines 
of intrenchment, and General Burnside with the Ninth 
Corps made a reconnoissance in the direction of the Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, and intrenched his Corps within a quar- 
ter of a mile of that place. In this movement General J. D. 
Stevenson was killed. 

On May 11, 1864, the position of the Army of the Poto- 
mac was as follows : The Fifth Corps was on the extreme 
right from near the Po river, extending past the front of 
the Alsop house in an irregularly curved line. The Sixth 
Corps was on the left of the Fifth, the Second Corps u. 



S14 HISTORY OF THE 

front of the salient, or the advanced point in the fortifi- 
cations. 

The Ninth Corps was on the extreme left, resting near 
Spottsylvania Court House. 

The batteries were in their old positions. Batteries E 
and L, ist New York Light, commanded by Lieut. George 
Breck, the Fifth Mass. Battery, and Battery B, 4th U. S., 
Lieut. James Stewart, were in position to the extreme left 
of the corps posted around the Alsop house to the left of 
the road which crosses the Po at Corbin's Bridge. In the 
afternoon Batter}^ B, 4th U. S. was moved to the left and 
front of Battery B, ist Penn., and the Third Mass. Battery 
was ordered to report to General Ayres, now in command 
of the 2d Division of the Fifth Corps, and to be placed in 
the first line. 

At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of May nth- General 
Meade, by General Grant's direction, ordered the three 
Divisions of the Second Corps to move by the rear of the 
Fifth and Sixth Corps and joining the Ninth to make a 
vigorous assault at 4 a. m. of the 12th. The Fifth and 
Sixth Corps were to be held in their present places close to 
the enemy's lines. 

A part of the Fifth Corps was sent forward May 12th 
in advance of all the Union forces, the Fifth Mass. Battery 
and Batteries E and L, ist N. Y., taking position to the 
left of the road which crosses the Po at Corbin's Bridge. 
During the forenoon they shelled the woods across the river, 
and replied to the guns which opened on our skirmish lines, 
and in the afternoon silenced a rebel battery at a distance of 
1200 yards. 

Lee withdrew at midnight. 

Leaving the pickets all in position, the Fifth Corps moved 
after dark on May 13th by cross roads and through the 
woods, fording the Ny river, across country in the direction 
of the Fredericksburg and Spottsylvania Court House, an-i 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 815 

along that road; the design being to turn Lee's Right flank. 
They reached the appointed place at daylight of the 14th., 
on which day the Fifth and Sixth Corps were placed in 
position in front of the Confederate intrenchments across 
the Fredericksburg road in front of the Court House. 

On May 17th, it having been determined to move the 
Second and Sixth Corps to the extreme right to make 
another assault, the Fifth Corps was intrenched; General 
Warren ordering 26 guns into position and protecting his 
left flank by the 1 5th N. Y. Battery, Captain Hart, and th.-^ 
Third and Ninth Mass. Batteries at the Anderson house, — 
Battery D, 5th U. S., Lieut. Rittenhouse, with Battery D, 
5th New York, six 20 pdr. Parrotts, was advanced to within 
1400 yards of the Court House,^ — and ist N. Y. Light 
Battery D, making 14 guns under Major Robert H. Fitz- 
hugh. 

The I St Pennsylvania Light Battery B, Captain Cooper, 
Batteries E and L, ist N. Y. Light, Lieut. George Breck, 
and the Fifth Mass. Battery, Captain Phillips, twelve 3 inch 
guns, the order reducing each battery to 4 guns having 
been carried out, were posted in a very advantageous posi- 
tion on a hill, at the front and about 400 yards to the left of 
Fitzhugh's guns, at an angle of about 60 degrees with his 
line. 

Opposed to these guns were the 20 pieces of the enemy 
in front and to the right of the Court House. 

At daylight of May i8th, just when the Second Corps 
advanced on the Right the batteries opened on both sides. 
The firing which was about equally accurate, continued for 
about three-quarters of an hour continuously, and at inter- 
vals throughout the day with the result that the confederate 
general Hill's guns were silenced, but the general attack 
was given up when it was found that the enemy was 
prepared for it. and the Second and Sixth Corps went back 
to their positions of the 17th of ]\Iay. 



816 HISTORY OF THE 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 
FROM NOTES OF LIEUT. APPLETON. 

"Grant knew that an absolute victory or defeat in such 
a country as the "\^'ilderness, was impossible, and so he 
concluded that losing his communication on the right and 
by the railroad, he would establish it on the left, and by the 
great rivers. The Arm}^ soon came to know that it had for 
its leader a strong and reliable man. and I am convinced 
that the three days at the Wilderness, and the five following 
ones at Spottsylvania, proved to all that the time for retreat- 
ing was over. Men, horses, ammunition, food and forage, 
all followed as rapidly as possible in the wake of the ever 
advancing Army, and the wounded were taken to Washing- 
ton by steamers, which were ready to meet them on the 
various rivers, from the Rappahannock to the James. Early 
on the morning of the 8th of May, 1864, we reached Todd's 
Tavern, where the cavalry had been skirmishing under 
Sheridan, and there I saw a young officer of one of the 
cavalry regiments, wounded and reposing in the porch of 
the inn. We continued our advance, and later, under a tree, 
whom should I see also wounded, but Captain A. P. Martin, 
who had received a bullet shot in the neck, from which the 
blood was slowly oozing, and Colonel Fred T. Locke the 
popular assistant adjutant general of the Fifth Corps, who 
had been hit in the face. It was a gruesome sight, and one 
calculated to make the observer feel the dangers of war very 
keenly. These officers recovered from their wounds, how- 
ever, and both returned to the service. (Colonel Locke 
died in 1893; this wound, it was said, being the indirect 
cause of his death, and General Martin died in Boston, 
March 13, 1902, of a complication of diseases after a year's 
illness, and was buried at Mount Auburn with military hon- 
ors. He was borne to the grave by members of Battery A, 
Light Artillery M. V. M., attended by Lieut. Aaron F. 
Walcott and 25 members of the Third Mass. Battery, with 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 817 

members of the Loyal Legion, Grand Army of the RepubHc, 
and civic organizations.) 

Our Battery soon continued the advance, passing the body 
of a dead Union infantryman in an open bit of ground, and 
soon we were put in position to resist anv attack that might 
be made. We were supported on either side by the 32d 
Mass. Regt., Colonel George L. Prescott, who was killed 
at the first attack on Petersburg. June 18. 1864. (See 
p. 882. ) I made the ac(|uaintance of Colonel Prescott and 
had some conversation with him. It was rather an ugly 
place to be in, hemmed in by woods, and not much open land 
ahead, in case a strong body of the enemy should ajjpear, 
but Captain Phillips said he could hold his own front, and 
only wanted the infantry to do the work on either flank." 

Todd's Tavern was situated at the junction of the Cathar- 
pin and Brock roads, and was a ten mile march. Here in- 
trenchments were thrown up. 

"About 2 miles beyond the Tavern (Dyer's Notes, May 
8, 1864) we found the cavalry fighting the Rebs. Went 
into position as soon as we reached the field. Remained 
till 10 p. m., then advanced about a mile; having driven the 
enemy from their position in breastworks. Unharnessed 
and turned in." 

They were on the second line, in position on the right of 
the road to guard against an attack on our flank. Martin's 
battery was heavily engaged and Captain Martin was 
wounded. Sedgwick charged at dusk and carried the 
enemy's works. The advance to the front at 10 p. m. was 
to join the rest of the Fifth Corps. The supply train 
reached the camp that day, which was lucky as the forage 
was short. For six miles back from the front the provost 
guard were ordered to stop all passing to the rear, and it 
was said that of the two it was safer to go forward^ and 
engage the enemy, than to go back and be sabred to the front 
by the provost guard. 



8.18 HISTORY OF THE 

May 9, 1864, Monday, lay still all the morning. Gen- 
eral Sedgwick was killed at 10 a. m. Lieut. Appleton hap- 
pened to be at the road when his body was carried to the 
rear on a stretcher. He was known in the Army as "Uncle 
John." and was beloved and respected by all. After dinner 
on the 9th went into position on a ridge in about the Centre 
of the line. A few stray enfilading shots came over from 
the left. One shell killed Private Joseph Kierstead trans- 
ferred to the Battery from the i i8th Pennsylvania, and mor- 
tally wounded Private John Boynton of South Danvers; 
also wounded Private John Mensing, from the 118th P. V., 
all drivers on the first piece. Boynton was a new recruit. 

Bullets whistle. Entry in Quarter Master Sergeant Wm. 
H. Peacock's account-book is "one shovel broken by a shell." 
Colonel Percy Wyndham visited the Battery. In the even- 
ing threw up breastworks, and remained in position all 
night. 

NOTES OF CORPORAL BENJAMIN GRAHAM. 

Wm. Reynolds Sees a Ghost. 
*'0n the evening of the 9th May, 1864. in battery, with 
our left flank facing the enemy, there came a shell from one 
of the rebels' batteries, and just at that time Kierstead, 
(John) Mensing, and one other, I have lost his name. (It 
was Boynton.) were digging a pit to shelter themselves in. 
They had it dug out about two feet, when they heard that 
shell coming, and all three dropped into the pit. The shell 
burst in the pit killing Kierstead and the unknown (Boyn- 
ton), but only wounding Mensing in the wrist. Kierstead 
and the other it blew all to pieces, so I had to pick them up 
and put them in a blanket. That night we had a grave dug 
and buried them. I wanted to mark the spot, and asked 
Reynolds if he would not mark a board for them, he being a 
good penman. He said he would, so he got to work, and 
the wind was blowing, and he could not keep the candle lit. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. S19 

and I suggested to him to sit in the bottom of the grave, 
in he went, and he stuck a piece of wood in the end of the 
grave and set the candle on it. Then he started in again. 
and when I thought it was about time he had finished I went 
round to see him, and as I was passing the side of the grave 
my shadow fell on the opposite side of the grave, when to 
my surprise Reynolds came out of that grave as if he had 
been sliot out of a Gun. When I asked what was the mat- 
ter, he said Kierstead's ghost had come in the grave." 

FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER OF MAY g, 

1864. 
"Head Quarters in the Saddle, 

Near Spottsvlvania C. H. 

The fighting has been perfectly terrific and our losses tre- 
mendous. Artillery has very little chance, as the country 
is solid woods, with now and then an opening. The bat- 
teries go into position in them, so there is a good deal of 
luck whether or not you get engaged. The infantry has 
suffered tremendously. Almost all Massachusetts field of- 
ficers are killed or wounded." 

On May loth keep position all day. "The artillery 
opened at daybreak and continued at intervals. (Dyer's 
Notes.) At II a. m. the whole line opened peal on peal. 
It seemed as if the heavens had opened. Also very severe 
charges by the infantry. Captured a large numl)er of pris- 
oners, some guns, and stands of colors. At 10 p. m. 
silence reigned in a measure." There was a tremendous, 
exciting fight all the afternoon in the woods in our front. 
Grant and Meade around. A bulletin was read to the sol- 
diers, announcing that General Butler was at Petersburg, 
and our forces had defeated the enemy in the West. 

A good many Reb. prisoners taken. The rebels said to 
be at Brandv Station. 



S20 HISTORY OF THE 

May nth there was firing by both artillery and infantry 
at intervals, but no very severe fighting. About looo pris- 
oners passed, going to the rear. In the afternoon a heavy 
thunder shower came up. Still in position on the extreme 
left of the Fifth Corps, with Batteries E and L, ist Nev/ 
York Light, Lieut. George Breck in command, to the left of 
the road which crosses the Po river at Corbin's Bridge. 
May 12, 1864, moved to the extreme right of the line. 
General Hancock moved to the left and made a big capture 
in the morning, — Johnson's Division 7000 men, 4 generals, 
and 30 odd pieces of artillery, — by a surprise before day- 
light. It rained almost all day. Appleton wrote home, — 
"Jiist think of eight days almost solid fighting! Without 
doubt this is the hugest battle that ever took place in the 
world. I do not think that our wounded alone can be less 
than 25,000. They are going down to Fredericksburg on 
trains. Our Battery was engaged quite heavily on the 12th 
and we passed the afternoon in an artillery duel with a Reb. 
battery. One of our limbers w^as hit and exploded, but, 
strange to say, without hitting a horse. Our Battery has 
lost, thus far, two men killed and four wounded. We 
marched at night in the rain and came into camp along the 
road in a mud hole, near the Fifth Corps Hospitals. Grant 
will win the battle if it takes till next Christmas. (It was 
about this time that Grant made the remark that has grown 
into a proverb viz. that he would "fight it out on this line 
if it takes all summer.") Just keep cool up in the North, 
and this thing will soon be settled. I can't think it will last 
much longer, for it does not seem as if the cause could jus- 
tify such a tremendous slaughter." 

FROM CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

Letter of May 13, 1864, in relation to May 12th: — "Dur- 
ing the forenoon we shelled the woods by General \\'arren s 
orders, and exchanged a few shots with a batterv to our 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 821 

left. We were on a road which crossed the Po river, about 
200 yds. ahead of us, at Corbin's Bridge, I l^eheve. About 
noon, the rebels placed a battery on our right, just across the 
Po, but hidden from us by the woods. We made a guess 
as to the distance, and let them have it. 1 rode to the right 
ab( lut half a mile, and got within about 300 yds. of the rebel 
battery, and saw our shells bursting beautiful! v. They 
changed position, but I sent an orderly back to change our 
guns, correspondingly, and the rebs soon cleared out. 
About 2 this same battery, I suppose, took position in our 
front, still hidden by the woods, and having got all ready, 
banged away all at once as if they expected to clean us out 
the first thing. In this, however, they were very much mis- 
taken. For about half an hour we kept at it. quite lively; 
they blew up one of our limbers and we returned the com- 
pliment. At the end of half an hour they retired in disgust. 
They only hit one man and wounded him very slightly. 
Still they faced us longer than any rebel battery I ha\'e met, 
as we do not generally allow them more than 15 minutes. 
They opened again about an hour afterwards, only for two 
or three rounds, before they cleared out. . . . We left the 
field at sunset and came here near the 5th Corps hospitals.'' 

In Captain Phillips' report to the adjutant general of the 
state he mentions the killing of a few horses, and adds that 
"two of our men were wounded at this time by shells from 
one of our own batteries." 

Notes of Corporal Jonas Shackley May 12, 1864: 
"Moved by the right flank about a mile. Exposed to fire 
from both flanks and front. Corporal (Benjamin) Graham 
(of New Bedford) and (Private) Thomas Mensing. 
(ii8th P. V.) were wounded by a shell from Battery L. 
1st N. Y. A. K. P. Hayden (of New Bedford) wounded 
by rebel shell. One of our limbers was blown up. and 2 
horses killed bv rebel shells." 



822 HISTORY OF THE 

They blew up the 4th limber. The Battery fired 486 
rounds. 

From John E. Dyer's Notes: — "May 12, 1864. Hitched 
up at daylight, changed our position and went on the right. 
Opened on the enemy. They soon returned it with a cross 
fire upon us. Soon it became the hottest of any place yet. 
The Rebs had four batteries playing upon us, all of which 
we silenced. We silenced their crack battery the Richmond 
Cadets. Had one limber blown up. Ben. Graham, Men- 
sing, and Al. Hayden wounded. Rained all day." 

NOTES OF SERG'T. WM. H. BAXTER. 

Bennie Graham's Double Wound. 

In a letter accompanying his Notes dated Oct. 4, 1900, 
Serg't. Baxter says that this incident he has related, "is a 
dead sure thing without drawing on the imagination and 
can be verified, as the other fellow is still alive." As to his 
title he says he is "Plain William H. In the old Battery 
'Bill' for short, and 'Serg't.' sometimes." 



"At Laurel Hill (May 12. 1864) we were closely en- 
gaged with a Reb. Battery in an artillery duel, and from 
the manner that the Rebs stood up and took their medicine 
for a while, it w^as evident that there was A i fighting blood 
on both sides of the fence. The duel ended, however, as 
usual when the Old 5th had a hand in it. 

Benny Graham was serving on the right Gun from the 
writer, and during a lull in the firing, the writer saw that he 
was struck, and at once crossed over to him. When I got 
there he was sitting on the ground nursing his left arm. 

Where are you hit Bennie?' 

In the muscle of the upper arm' said he. 

I had taken a small strap from my pocket while running 
\o him, and at once proposed to put it on above the wound 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 823 

to stop the flow of blood, but w^n applying it found no 
hole for the buckle. I took out my jack knife, the smallest 
blade being about as long as a fore finger, and stooped (jver 
to make a hole in the strap. At the exact moment of 
pressing the point of the blade into the strap, a Reb shell 
burst over our heads, scattering its contents and fragments 
down among us, and, alas, when the shell burst the ten- 
dency to schrooch came upon me, and in my anxiety to ad- 
just the strap to the arm, I plunged the blade clean through 
strap, blouse, shirt and arm, out through the other side. 

In telling it the incident could well be ended here, but I 
will simply add that for some time after I made that fatal 
lunge at the strap, there seemed to be echoes of quotations 
from the Bible, and a decidedly sulphurous smell, hovering 
around the spot occupied by Bennie Graham and the writer. 
He has long ago forgiven me, and we have had many a 
good laugh over it since." 



In some notes made at Old Point Comfort, Va., April 
20, 1 90 1, Captain Nathan Appleton says: — 

"Laurel Hill was a part of the Spottsylvania fight, and 
for some time I had a clasp with the name on my corps 
badge, but it was never recognized ofticially by our govern- 
ment, and so does not appear on the flags." 



At 7.30 of May 13, 1864, the men tried to keep comfort- 
able in the rain under a tarpaulin, and after hours of uncer- 
tainty marched by the left flank. Having remained in park 
until 2 p. m., started for the old position near General War- 
ren's Head Quarters and the Fifth Corps Hospitals. 
Turned in at 9 p. m. and were immediately aroused and 
hitched up and started toward the left of our lines: marched 
all niffht over an awful road knee deep in mud, through for- 



824 HISTORY OF THE 

ests, stumbling over tree stumps in the pitch dark, rain pour- 
ing and putting out fires built along the road to light the 
way; fording the Nye where it was three feet deep, plodding 
on for eight miles to a position on General Burnside's left. 

Arrived there about 4 o'clock in the morning of the 14th 
and here fed the last grain to the horses. This was the 
hour for the attack. Went into park on the field. Chance 
for only short naps. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon moved 
about a quarter of a mile to the rear across the river and 
went into park. Got supper and turned in about 7 p. m. 
At 8 were routed out to unhitch and unharness and stretch 
the picket rope. Two guns were captured from the Rebs 
that day. 

Sunday, May 15, at 4 p. m. recrossed the Po, and were 
ordered out to the front of our breastworks, an exposed and 
very uncomfortable place. "Apparently as a decoy" writes 
Shackley, "to the rebels, but they did not take the bait, so 
about dark we returned." 

Dyer says of May 15, — "Expected an attack on Burn- 
side's force to our right and we were to rush on them in 
return." 

It appears that General Burnside in command of the 
Ninth Corps, had reported the enemy massing in his front 
as if for an attack, and thus the Fifth Corps was led to make 
preparations to receive them. 

May 16, 1864. Roused at 5 o'clock, cleaned and watered 
horses but no feed. During the day the teams came up, 
with grain for the horses, and Benjamin West came to the 
Battery. Some artillery and infantry firing but no hard 
fighting. On that day twenty-five thousand reinforcements 
to the Army arrived. Orders to turn in a section, two 
guns. All batteries to be four guns. Gun teams reor- 
ganized. 



FIFTH MASS. RATTFRY. 825 

TURNED IN A SECTION. 

From Captain Appleton's Notes: — "It was during the 
last days of the fight at Spottsylvania, that we received the 
order to turn in one section, or two guns, leaving four guns 
in our Battery. I have always supposed that General 
Grant, seeing that the Army of the Potomac was encum- 
bered by having too much artillery, decided upon this plan 
of reducing it, instead of disbanding or sending to the rear 
some of the batteries, which would have hurt the feelings 
of the captains and other officers, as well as of the men. 
There is no doubt but that there were too many guns for 
the country in which he was operating, and this reduction 
was a good thing for the batteries themselves, as few of 
them had their full complement of men. and were obliged 
to have details from the infantry. This plan showed, as 
many others had done, his great tact and perfect knowledge 
of the actual requirements of the situation." 

May 17, 1864, the two guns belonging to the Left section 
were turned in. Kept the caissons, but Serg't. Elisha J. 
Gibbs took the guns to Belle Plain. The Reserve Artillery 
had been broken up and the batteries were attached to the 
several corps. 

At night we advanced our line of intrenchments to within 
one thousand yards of the enemy, and before the morning of 
the 1 8th we had constructed a magnificent line of earth- 
works to hold the Fifth Corps at this point. 

Letter of Lieut. Appleton May 17, 1864: "Our Army 
occupies a line just south of the river Po. and between it 
and Spottsylvania Court House. The Rebs are still oppos- 
ing us with a large force. We are north of the river, and 
in a- sort of temporary camp. In all our other campaigns 
after three days' fighting our Army has retired, but this 
time Grant means to fight it out. A Virginia battle is so 
totally different from any ideas which anv one may have, 



826 HISTORY OF THE 

that it is difficult to describe. How can a soldier with un- 
washed face, filthy clothes, a muddy sabre, a played out 
horse, look like the picture of Napoleon at Lodi? 

We get our supplies now from Washington via Acquia 
Creek. Reinforcements also keep coming out, so that the 
Army will hold about up to its original size. We need all 
the men. We have not seen our baggage since we left Cul- 
peper, and are beginning to think that some clean clothes 
would be acceptable. However we can lie abed and have 
ours washed." 

"May i8, 1864. (Appleton's Diary.) We started at 2^ 
and went into position, I somewhat in the rear in charge of 
the caissons, as we have turned in a section. Corporal 
(Charles M.) Tripp hit in the arm. Four more batteries 
added to the Brigade. Went back to camp by the old 
house. Milton called." (This was Lieut. Richard S. Mil- 
ton who commanded the Ninth Mass. Battery in the absence 
of Captain Bigelow wounded at Gettysburg.) 

Hitched up at one o'clock of the 18th and recrossed the 
Po. and reported at Head Quarters Artillery Brigade. 
Took position on the left of the .5th Corps with the ist 
Pennsylvania Light Battery B, and the ist N. Y., Batteries 
E and L, in sight of Spottsylvania Court House, and 
fired 33 case shot and 175 percussion, which the Rebs re- 
turned with interest. Recrossed the river at dark, and 
parked for the night. 

According to O. M. Serg't. Peacock's account book, "i 
handspike was broken in action." 

There was heavy artillerv fighting all day. "The Rebs 
had a cross fire upon us (Dyer's Notes) but we dislodged 
them and dismounted five of their guns. As soon as we got 
into camp we got supper and went to bed. Corporal Tripp 
slightly wounded by a spent ball." 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE BATTLE OF THE NORTH ANNA RIVER 

AND 
VIRGINIA CENTRAL RAILROAD, 

May 23-26, 1864. 

"I saw that same shell coming, and I called cut to Maurice Blake, 
'by your leave, Maurice, let that fellow pass, he's in a hurrv' ; and, 
faith, I said to myself, 'there's more where you came from: You're not 
an only child, and I never liked the family.' " 

"Night after Talavera" in Charles O'Malley, — Lever. 

In pursuance of his resolution to move by the left flank. 
General Grant gave orders on the 20th of May, 1864, to 
renew this movement against the army of the Confederates 
which was being rapidly reinforced from the South and 
concentrated in front of the Army of the Potomac. The 
Fifth Corps Artillery, followed by the infantry, moved 
south on the 21st of May, and crossed the Mattapony river, 
and on the 22d all forces which could ht spared by General 
B. F. Butler at Bermuda Hundred, were ordered north to 
be sent to Grant, under the command of ^Major General 
William F. Smith. 

Perceiving the intention of General Grant to continue 
his movement to the left. Ewell's Confederate Corps on 
the left of the enemy's line, and later Hill's and Anderson's 
Confederate Corps moved by the Telegraph road towards 
Hanover Junction, and on the night of the 22d the entire 
Confederate Army were resting on the south bank of the 
North Anna river in the vicinity of Hanover Junction. At 
II a. m. of the 23d, the Fifth Corps, with the artillery, were 

827 



828 HISTORY OF THE 

at the railroad bridge near the North Anna river, but moved 
to Mount Carmel Church to make room for the Second 
Corps, who had been ordered to that place, and reached the 
river again at Jericho Mills where there was a ford. On 
the left of the road leading to this ford the artillery was 
posted. 

Three Divisions of the Fifth Corps then crossed the ford, 
Griffin's leading, and the 226. Mass. infantry, Colonel Wm. 
S. Tilton, ahead. They drove the rebels to Noel's station, 
and the remainder of the Corps with the six 12 pdr. bat- 
teries crossed. While approaching the enemy's line of bat- 
tle which was discovered behind a ridge, Griffin's First 
Division was furiously attacked on the right. This attack 
was repulsed by the aid of the artillery, and reinforcements 
of infantry coming up, the lines were intrenched on the 
south bank of the North Anna river. 

The Second Corps also drove the rebels across the river 
from their rifle pits near the Telegraph road, but the rebels 
held the wooden bridge across the Richmond and Fred- 
ericksburg railroad during the night. 

The Ninth Corps were in a position to support the Sec- 
ond and Fifth Corps in the morning, but moved to Ox 
Ford before night. The Sixth Corps on the 23d were on 
the south bank of the river, having crossed at Jericho Ford. 
Now our forces were part on the north and part on the 
south of the North Anna river, and the enemy's lines had 
receded; their abandoned works being occupied by our 
forces, but Lee, while retiring his Left flank, had strength- 
ened his Right, in the attempt once more to get between the 
Army of the Potomac and its base of supplies. His Left 
rested on Little River near New Market and the Virginia 
Central Railroad, his Right extending along the North 
Anna river for three-quarters of a mile to Ox Ford, cover- 
ing an extensive swamp, and occupying an exceptionally 
strong position, which General Grant resolved to render 



I 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 829 

untenable. He determined to turn the enemy's Right flank- 
by crossing near Hanover Town and after securing his own 
source of suppHes, to destroy the railroads at various points 
and cut off those of the enemy. 

He issued the following order to General Meade: — 

GRANT TO MEADE. 

QuARLES AliLi.s. Va. May 25, 1864. 
Major-General Meade, 

(commanding A. P. : 
Direct Generals Warren and Wright to withdraw all their teams 
and artillery, not in position, to the north side of the river tomorrow. 
Send that belonging to General Wright's Corps as far on the road to 
Hanover Town as it can go, without attracting attention to the fact. 
Send with it Wright's best Division or Division under his ablest com- 
mander. Have their places filled up in the line so if possible the enemy 
will not notice their withdrawal. Send the cavalry tomorrow after- 
noon, or as much of it as you may deem necessary to watch and seize, 
if they can, Littlepage's bridge and Taylor's ford, and to remain on one 
or other side of the river, at these points until the infantry and artillery 
all pass. As soon as it is dark tomorrow night, start the Division 
which you withdraw first from Wright's Corps to make a forced 
march to Hanover Town, taking with them no teams to impede the 
march. At the same time this Division starts, commence withdrawing 
all of the Fifth and Sixth Corps from the south side of the river, and 
march them for the same place. The two Divisions of the Ninth 
Corps not now with Hancock may be moved down the north bank of 
the river, where they will be handy to support Hancock if necessary, 
or will be that much on their road to follow the Fifth and Sixth Corps. 
Hancock should hold his command in readiness to follow as soon as 
the way is clear for him. Tomorrow it will leave nothing for him to 
do, but as soon as he can he should get all his teams and spare artillery 
on the road or roads which he will have to take. As soon as the 
troops reach Hanover Town, they should get possession of all the 
crossings they can in that neighborhood. I think it would be well to 
maKe a heavy cavalry demonstration on the enemy's left tomorrow 
afternoon also. 

U. S. Grant, 
Licutcnant-Gcncral. 

In the itinerarv of Brig. Gen. Romeyn B. Ayres. First 



830 HISTORY OF THE 

Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, under date of 
May 25, 1864, may be found the following: — 

"Moved 2 miles to the right, and went into position in front of the 
eniemy at Little River, near the Virginia Central Railroad. (Our 
forces were engaged in destroying the railroad, and scouts were sent 
out towards Hanover Junction.) May 26: At 8 p. m. moved out and 
recrossed the North Anna river, and marched all night." 

Again we swing around to Hanover Court House, and 
on the 31st of May the position of the Army of the Potomac 
was as follows : — The left of the Fifth Corps was on the 
Shady Grove road, extending to the Mechanicsville pike, 
and about 3 miles south of the Totopotomoy Creek. On 
its right were, first, the Ninth Corps, next, the Second and 
Sixth lengthening out for six miles southeast of Hanover 
Court House. The cavalry were in the act of destroying 
the Virginia Central Railroad and fighting at Cold Harbor. 
General William F. Smith from the Army of the James wa-^ 
moving up the York River from White House Landing 
where one Division was left on guard. The Confederates 
were represented at Cold Harbor by Hoke, and Kershaw, 
and by Early and Anderson between Bethesda Church and 
Cold Harbor, where the roads from Richmond, from White 
House Landing now our base of supplies, and from other 
directions converged. 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

In Lieut. Nathan Appleton's Diary of May 19, 1864, he 
has jotted down the following: — "Off again by daylight. 
Remain in park all day. Sharp skirmish in the afternoon. 
They try to flank us. Sleep out minus a cover. 

May 20, 1864. I bring my command back to the others. 
A luxurious dinner of shad." 

In a letter home written on the 20th, he says of the 
19th : — 'T received yesterdav a big mail, the first one since 
we have left Culpeper, with a good assortment of letters, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. s:;i 

papers, and magazines, all of which were very acceplahie. 
The last few days out here have been comparatively quiet, 
though seldom one passes in which we do not ha\-e a big 
skirmish somewhere along the line. Yesterday afternoon 
the Rebs tried to turn our right flank, — but they did not 
succeed, — and for some time it was quite exciting. The 
country is more open here than in the 'Wilderness.' so that 
artillery comes considerably into play, but the shells, al- 
though they frighten you terribly don't do much damage. 
Grant has reinforcements constantly coming out, so that our 
Army here is. I think, now about as large as when it left 
winter quarters, notwithstanding its tremendous loss. 
There is a beautiful house about a mile from where we now 
are. a truly splendid specimen of a Virginia mansion; such 
an one as is not often seen in this part of the country, — 
immense stables and barns, sheds, and darkies' shanties, all 
once the property of a ]\Ir. Anderson, evidently a very rich 
land owner. I have had the good fortune to meet lately a 
jolly young fellow wdiom I already consider alx)ut my l^est 
friend in the Army. Fordham Morris by name, an aide of 
Colonel W'ainwright in command of the Artillery Brigade. 
The scenery around here is the prettiest I have seen in \"ir- 
ginia, except, perhaps, some of the views around the Blue 
Ridge." 

At daylight of the 19th all the batteries were set in mo- 
tion. Started out of park at 4.30 a. m.. crossed the Nye 
and were put in position in a field on the southern side near 
the enemy, and remained hitched up all day. At 4 p. m. 
they made a demonstration on our Right flank in the at- 
tempt to turn it. and get possession of our wagon trains, but 
they were repulsed and driven back with considerable loss. 
Remained in position all night, and all the next day. but no 
firing except picket firing occurred on the 20th. In the 
morning our forces captured their pickets. num1)ering 1500 



882 HISTORY OF THE 

men. The men in charge of Serg't. Gibbs, who went to turn 
in the guns, got back that day from BeUe Plain. 

LETTER FROM QUARTER MASTER SERG'T. 

PEACOCK, WRITTEN OX THE BACK OF 

A "RATION RETURN." 

"Fredericksburg, Va. ]\Iay 21, 1864. 

Here I am all right after three weeks' marching, luit no 
fighting. Most of the time I am with the army train. The 
Battery has fired 1800 rounds of ammunition or 8 tuns; its 
loss in men is two killed and seven wounded. I tell you 
this is a big battle, and the end of it is far off. I never saw 
so many wounded men from any battle before. It is said 
from good authority that our loss in wounded amounts to 
40,000 men. I have seen over ten thousand rebel prison- 
ers, and 17 captured guns. The Rebs have some six thou- 
sand of our men prisoners, and a few guns. 

I came from the front yesterday; but little fighting was 
going on. I could plainly see the rebels at work building 
rifle pits. Our army will have hot work to get them out of 
their present position. Every house in this city has 
wounded in it, — wounded men everywhere. General 
Grant orders room in Washington for fifty thousand 
wounded! It is awful, azvful! 

I am going to the front in about two hours. The 'Jacob 
Beir lays at the wharf of this city; also the 'Yankee,' and 
one other gunboat. 

I send leaves from Chancellorsville battlefield; one rose 
from a garden on Main street of this city, and leaves from 
the tomb of 'Mary' the mother of George Washington. 
Her monument has been disfigured shamefully by soldiers 
breaking off pieces. I send a bit that was picked up where 
some one had broken off a large piece. 

P. S. The tomb of Mrs. Washington is on one of the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 833 

heights of Fredericksburg. A rifle pit was taken by our 
men at the battle of Fredericksburg, the monument being 
only fifty feet from it, and between the two lines of men 
fighting. It is marked all over by bullets and shells. I 
have found the grave of Eddie Platts. our little gunner who 
was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. His mother was 
very anxious to find his body. She lives in Boston." 

Note by Serg't. Peacock, Chicago, 111. September 7, 
1900: — "This letter was written while on my way to Belle 
Plain for supplies. The 1800 rounds fired were from the 
time we crossed the Rapidan under Grant, May 3d, I think. 
So we did some shooting in 18 days, if we could not get 
into the Wilderness." 

May 21, 1864. Moved with the Fifth Corps by the left 
flank. Orders to be ready at 10 o'clock, marched at 11.30. 
Lieutenant Nathan Appleton was ordered to report to 
Colonel Wainwright as an A. D. C. 

Marched all day, crossing the Richmond and Fredericks- 
burg railroad at Guiney's station, and the bridge over the 
Mattapony River, and went into camp for the night at the 
forks of the road about a mile beyond the bridge. The 
cavalry were in advance, and drove the Rebs from the 
bridge the Battery crossed. Its rear guard was engaged 
with the rebels. Some of the men went after forage for the 
horses, before turning in. 

On the 22d, aroused at 3 o'clock, and leaving camp at 10 
a. m. marched about 7 miles. Skirmishing with the 
rebel cavalry reported on ahead. The rebels seemed to 
be moving south, being driven before us, their rear but 
three miles distant. Took possession of the Telegraph 
road and crossed the Po River. On the march passed sev- 
eral bodies of dead rebels. Parked near St. Margaret's 
Church. Head Quarters of the Brigade in a fine white 
house at Carmel Church. 

Dyer's Notes: "May 2^, 1864. The oft repeated, wel- 



834 HISTORY OF THE 

come sound of 'turn out,' at 5 a. m. Started, passed Balls 
Church, and arrived at the North Anna river at noon. 
Went in park and remained all day, to cover the crossing 
of the ford. The brass batteries crossed the river at 3 p. m. 
At 4 the fight (in the open field) began, and continued very 
heavy till after dark, but we succeeded in driving the Rebs. 
At II o'clock we turned in." 

The advanced guard of Hill's Corps were opposed to us. 
The artillery swept the line firing over the heads of the in- 
fantry. Lieut. Appleton calls this his most exciting fight. 
He slept on the field. 

In the morning march of the 23d the Corps got on the 
wrong road. Its crossing of the North Anna was at Jeri- 
cho Mills. Some of the 12 pdr. batteries crossed with the 
infantry, but the Battery remained on the north side of the 
river where the Rifled Batteries were parked. The distance 
from Jericho Ford to Noel's Station on the Virginia Central 
Railroad was not far from 2 miles. 

The centre of the part of the line occupied by the Fifth 
Corps was about half a mile equidistant from the ford and 
the railroad. In the morning of the 24th, crossed the river 
on a canvas pontoon bridge at Jericho Mills, a bad ford to 
cross, with steep, rocky banks, and parked at close intervals 
about a mile from the river. 

Remained till dark, then moved to a position near Grif- 
fin's ist Division. Dyer had some conversation with rebel 
prisoners, who he says, " 'talked pretty spunky, at first, but 
finally owned up to being tired of the war.' 

Very hard thunder and sharp lightning towards night. 
Heavy fighting heard on the Left. W^e put our guns in po- 
sition and turned in." 

From Lieut. Appleton's Diary: "May 24, 1864. Ride 
along the lines. Lots of stragglers brought in. All the 
Army together." His letter of this date is written at 
"Head Quarters Artillery Brigade 5th Corps 9 a. m. south 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 83;") 

of the North Anna River, and about 6 miles from Hano\er 
Junction : 

We have been pushing on towards Richmond with skir- 
mishes ahnost every day. Tlie weather is hot, and the con- 
stant marching and firing is very tiresome. I am now with 
Colonel Wainwright an A. D. C. The Chief of Artillery 
has to keep with Corps Hd. Ors. so that I have a chance 
to see and hear all that is going on in the Corps. Yester- 
day afternoon we had quite a pretty little fight, in fact the 
first one I have been in where bullets whistled lively, and 
we could see what was being done. One of our staff. Cap- 
tain Henry W. Davis, was wounded the Dr. thinks mortally, 
and two Battery officers were hit; one of whom was Lieut. 
Cargill of the Third Mass. Battery. We have been now 
for four weeks constantly on the go, with very few luxuries 
in dress or food, and begin to think that comfortable quar- 
ters in Richmond, with plenty of sherry cobblers, would 
come in well. General Meade is now here, within a few 
feet from me talking to Gen. Warren." 

THE FIFTH BATTERY MEN AS BARN MOVERS. 

[Contributed by Maj. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, then 
colonel 20th Maine Reg't. Infantry, 3d Brigade, ist Divi- 
sion, Fifth Corps; promoted to command of Brigade, Au- 
gust 15, 1863, and of ist Brigade June 6, 1864.] 

The three Massachusetts batteries long attached to the 
Fifth Corps were great favorites with us all. Many a time 
we exchanged valuable services, — the infantry and artillery. 
— the balance of honor being in favor of the latter. We felt 
pride and affection for these men, and we knew and loved 
their gains almost as well as they did. 

Phillips, the modest, faithful and brave commander of 
the Fifth, I was much drawn to by these qualities of his. 
which made up a character of ideal manliness. This bat- 



836 HISTORY OF THE 

tery made a great record all the way down through the 
Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and when our Corps was 
crossing the North Anna, on the 24th of May, we were 
glad to have these old friends sent to the First Division to 
be immediately under Griffin, to whom this arm of the ser- 
vice was a specialty. This itself was a compliment to the 
battery. 

We forded the river, — our brigade at the head of the 
column, — and were immediately struck hard by Hill's 
Corps, close on our front. 

As an instance of the ways of Phillips and his battery, I 
recall an incident of the second day's fighting, when we 
were trying to force Hill back, "to develop his position," 
as it was afterwards explained. 

I had a hard time to hold my advance steady, on account 
of a peculiarly disagreeable fire of sharpshooters who had 
secure positions behind knolls, and clumps of trees and 
buildings, from which they made it almost certain death for 
any man of ours to show his head. The conditions were 
such that I could not dislodge them by effective fire, nor by 
a charge; and we were not slow in throwing up some little 
breastworks of logs and rails in the edge of some woods, 
as that was a good way to keep our heads level. There were 
some favoring trees, whose bulky forms were well propor- 
tioned to the size of a man's body, and were well patronized 
by officers and others not required on the breastworks, but 
there were open spaces between them, to allow the enemy 
to draw a good sight on us whenever we uKived. 

I didn't like the situation. I thought of Phillips, and 
went over to ask him to come forward with me and take a 
look at the landscape. I pointed out to him the picturesque 
features of it,, and he seemed to be much interested. In a 
few minutes up he rushes with two of his guns, whirls them 
into "action front" in the clear spaces, the muzzles almost 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 837 

up to the breastworks, and opens his three-inch iron hot 
and heavy, wherever he sees the smoke puffing. 

There was a large barn out in our front. — I think it had 
a high stone basement, — and it was filled with fellows 
grossly abusing the rightful privileges of a barn, and mak- 
ing it an instrument of decided offense. 

From every opening and crevice and corner arched the 
white rings of smoke, and the bullets were spitting at us 
like wild cats. Phillips asked me if he was doing right. 

"Phillips, I want that barn moved. It doesn't stand to 
suit me." He turns on his heel : — 

"Load with percussion!" he exclaims to his nearest gun- 
ner, and springs right upon the gun-carriage to get a fair 
sight ahead, — and to afford one, also. In another instant 
he is off, and at the elevating screw to make sure of his aim. 

Crash ! goes his shot. He is on top of the gun again 
before its recoil had slackened much, one hand on the wheel, 
straining his gaze to see the eft'ect of the shot; neither he 
nor his men paying the least attention to the serenade the 
bullets were playing. Shot upon shot bangs and burs':s 
against the walls of the barn, making great shattering and 
scattering. Soon it is wrapped in its own fire. Out come 
the hiders, and we have fair returns on them from our ex- 
cited line. The rest of them are doing their sharpest on us, 
but it is short work. Artillery on the skirmish line and 
Charley Phillips on top had done it ! 

The enemy break. The barn is "moved," — skyward, in 
flames. 

We seize the moment. Half a dozen rounds of shell 
pursue the flying foe. \\t leap over our works; the guns 
follow, somehow. 

Forward all : Phillips riding at my side, ready for any- 
thing. 

We press the enemy across the Virginia Central Railroad, 
and close upon Little River. But at dusk the next day. 



838 HISTORY OF THE 

having "developed the enemy's position," we turned back, 
recrossed the North Anna at Ouarles Mills, and marched all 
night in the drenching rain, and by forced marches days and 
nights following, towards the fated Bethesda Church and 
Cold Harbor. But one cheering thing was, that on the first 
of June the dear old Fifth Battery with dear, brave Phil- 
lips, were permanently assigned to our Division, where they 
passed for "Griffin's Pets," which meant terrible experiences 
together and closer friendships, neither of which can fade 
from our minds and hearts. 

Joshua L. Chamberlain. 
Brunswick^ Maine, 
February 21, 1900. 



From a Letter of Captain Phillips dated Camp near 
Hanover Town, May 30, 1864: — 

"On the 25th we marched with Griffin's Division along 
the Virginia Central Railroad, towards the junction a few 
miles, till we found the enemy, where we went into posi- 
tion. Lieut. Appleton was shot through the arm by one of 
the enemy's skirmishers, just before the Battery came up. 
He had been on Colonel Wainwright's stafif for a few days. 
We were posted in the edge of the woods, with an open 
field in front of us, and within range of the enemy's skir- 
mish line. We shelled the woods a little, but could not 
wake up their artillery. The skirmishers kept popping 
away at us all the time, but did no damage as we kept our- 
selves under cover," 

From the Diary of John E. Dyer: — "May 25th, 1864. 
Found this morning the Rebs had left our front, and fell 
back to their breastworks. Followed them up. Went in 
position 75 yards from Reb. sharpshooters. A hot place 
for a battery. The 3d Brigade, ist Division, 5th Corps 
have been employed all day in tearing up the Gordonsville 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 839 

railroad. Lieut. Appleton was woiinded today in the arm 
by a Rebel sharpshooter, just before we came up." 

Shackley writes on :May 25th : — "We moved at sunrise, 
and near the South Anna River met the enemy intrenched, 
and had a fight without decisive results. Lieut. Appleton 
was wounded." 

The Battery fired 12 case shot, and 30 percussion. 

John H. Welch transferred to the 5th j\lass. Battery from 
the Third Mass. was shot in the right breast in the battle of 
the North Anna River, the ball passing through his body 
and lodging in Lieut. Cargill's leg. He was taken to a hos- 
pital in Newark, N. J., and after his recovery returned to 
the Battery. He had re-enlisted in the Third Mass. Bat- 
tery, and served to the end of the war in the Fifth Mass. 

William A. Martis was wounded in the hip. 

Last entry in Lieut. Nathan Appleton' s Diary while con- 
nected with the Fifth Mass. Battery : — 

"May 25, 1864. Wounded in the right arm and went 
home." 

LIEUT. APPLETON'S NOTES MAY, 1901. 

"I was wounded the second day after the lively artillery 
engagement we had with, the Rebs by Jericho's Ford, just 
over the North Anna river. The line was being pushed 
along, always by the left flank, and some of our Brigade 
batteries had been sent on away from the others, under the 
command of Major Robert H. Fitzhugh, General Wain- 
wright's chief of staff, who was generally off with some of 
the batteries wdien the Brigade scattered. 

General Wainwright asked me to ride down the lines to 
see and report where these batteries were, telling me not to 
go far. in ca?e T could not find them, and not to be gone 
long. I thought I should only be absent a few minutes, — 
a half hour at most, — and so started off, not even taking my 
sabre, a rare occurrence with me, Imt which in this case 



840 HISTORY OF THE 

proved not inconvenient, and unaccompanied by an orderly. 
So I rode on and on, without coming across the batteries, — 
always expecting to, — along by the lines of the Sixth Corps, 
where I saw General Horatio G. Wright in command, and 
met Colonel Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and had a chat 
with him. On and on, several miles, until at last 1 came up 
with Major Fitzhugh and the others. 

Skirmishing with the enemy was going on, and it seemed 
as if there would soon be work. I asked Fitzhugh if he 
would like to have me remain with him, as he was quite 
alone in command, and as he -said he would, I decided to 
take upon myself the responsibility of staying. So we bus- 
tled about to find some good places to put the batteries in 
position. I remember going up to General Romeyn B. 
Ayres, commanding the 2d Division of our Corps, and ask- 
ing his advice, for he was an old artillery officer, — which 
he gave me. I dismounted from my horse, and went into 
the woods with General Griffin, in command of the ist Di- 
vision, and we dodged behind the big trees to keep clear of 
the Confederate bullets, which seemed to me almost absurd, 
as they were firing so lightly and irregularly. One of his 
staff, however. Captain Case of Cincinnati, was badly 
wounded in the right arm about this time. [This was Cap- 
tain Thomas C. Case, 71st Ohio Volunteers.] 

At length we found a fair place to put in one of the bat- 
teries, a little in from the edge of the woods, and close be- 
hind our skirmish line. The Virginia Central Railroad was 
not far distant in front, and the nearest station on it was 
called 'Noel's.' I was directed to stay out there to look 
after the work of felling the trees, and throwing up some 
hasty breastworks for our men. 

The order was given for our infantry skirmishers not to 
fire in front, so as not to attract fire from the enemy in re- 
turn while we were at work. But still, every now and then 
a shot would come whizzing along, with its peculiar sound. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 841 

ending with a thud, or a crash against some tree. Sharp- 
shooters were supposed to be firing from the tree tops or 
branches, and we were told to be careful not to expose our- 
selves suddenly. I recollect just then one of our artillery 
boys was hit in the shoulder by a musket ball, and this I can 
say was the only person I actually saw struck. He threw 
up his arms, exclaiming. 'My God, I am hit.' He went to 
the rear, but his wound proved to be no more than a bad 
flesh wound, as I met him afterwards on the boat going t(.) 
W^ashington. 

At length my time arrived. 

I was reclining on the ground against a small tree, watch- 
ing our men at work. My right arm and leg were exposed, 
and suddenly I felt through them both a tremendous shock, 
as if a big galvanic battery had been let loose upon me. I 
knew at once I was shot, — it seemed to be all over me, — 
and I saw the blood spirting in a stream from my right arm. 
1 was rather surprised to discover that I could walk. The 
ball had gone clean through my arm and had stopped at the 
calf of my leg, striking and glancing off from my boot. It 
gave my leg a hard concussion, which later became inflamed 
into quite a wound, but at first it did not trouble me. If I 
had only thought of it. and preserved my presence of mind, 
I might have picked up the bullet and kept it as a souvenir! 

I suppose the ball came from a distance of nearly a mile, 
and might be called a spent shot, but it went through my 
arm without any difficulty. One of the artillery boys came 
to me at once, and tied a handkerchief tightly round my 
arm above the wound, which stopped the bleeding very 
much, •and then, leaning upon him, I walked through the 
woods a quarter of a mile to the rear, where the ist Divi- 
sion staff was assembled at a turn in the road. 

There was a curious jumble of thoughts in my mind as 
we hobbled along. — Here was I. actually wounded, having 
gone through that experience every soldier thinks of so 



842 HISTORY OF THE 

much and wonders how he will take it when it comes. Was 
my wound a serious one, would I lose my arm by amputa- 
tion, would I die from the effects of it by mortification or 
otherwise, as many did ? And so and so, strange reflections 
dashed through my brain during that short walk of ten 
minutes. As I met the ist Division staff they laid me softly 
on the grass, and the surgeon came up, a nice young fel- 
low, I St Lieut. Dr. John Ryan, assistant surgeon of the 9th 
Mass. Infantry, the famous Irish regiment, 'the bloody 
9th,' which I knew so well. He bared my arm, and put- 
ting his thumb and finger through the hole until they met 
in the middle, to see just what was the matter, he said heart- 
ily, 'You are all right, the bone is not touched, the arm is 
safe, and you have got before you a pleasant "leave of ab- 
sence," and a chance to get out of this for several weeks at 
least. It's an elegant flesh wound.' I cannot express how 
relieved I felt at this, and then the other officers began pok- 
ing fun at me, and congratulating me upon my great luck, 
and I could see that indeed I was not an object of commisera- 
tion in those dangerous times. A stretcher was brought for 
me, and on it I was carried some ways back to where there 
was a temporary field hospital, filled with all kinds of 
wounded men. Before leaving the ground where I was 
lying with the ist Division staff, two or three of the boys 
of our Battery came up to find out what was the matter 
wih me, 'and I was much gratified at the interest they took 
in me. I did not see General Wainwright, but I heard that 
he was annoyed at my having gone oft* so far, contrary to 
his directions, and then staying there, by which I got my 
wound. However, it was done in good intent and could 
not be helped. At the hospital I was soon made tolerably 
comfortable for the night. My servant Joe appeared then 
to take care of me, and accompany me home, and Case and 
myself bunked in. side by side, on the ground under a large 
hospital tent. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 843 

It was a hard sight to see all the other wounded, and hear 
their groans, but we passed the night and the next day at 
this field hospital. About dusk, a long train of ambulances 
and wagons for the wounded was made up, to take us to 
Washington, though 1 do not think we at all knew how we 
were to get there, but supposed it would be mostly by boat. 
Case and I had an ambulance between us, in which we could 
lie down and were (juite comfortable. I felt rather 
ashamed, at being so well off with my slight flesh wound, 
when there were so many serious cases who were so badly 
provided for in the rough, springless wagons, but still I was 
happy enough to take the place allotted me. 

By the early grey of the morning we passed through the 
little town of Bowling Green, some of the inhabitants gaz- 
ing at us through the windows, and then on and on, the 
next day, until about two o'clock in the afternoon, when we 
reached the Rappahannock River at Port Royal, where our 
train went into park near the water. In the stream was 
the old Sound steamer 'Connecticut" of the Stoningtiui 
line, ready to take a boat load of the wounded from the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and other fights, to Washing- 
ton, and from there to the hospitals or their homes. The 
wounded all got on the boat during the afternoon, but it 
took a long while to carry many of them on board, and we 
started off during the evening. I had a decent berth, and 
walked around and talked with the others during the pas- 
sage. There were a good many doctors and nurses who 
tried to do their best, but it was no easy thing to look after 
so many, and here I must say that my Ixiy Joe Hunter per- 
formed most efficient service, making himself generally use- 
ful to all on lx)ard. I remember meeting the artillery man 
who was shot just before me, and also a soldier who showed 
me a bible he had through which a bullet had gone, while 
in his pocket or knapsack. As this is one of those unusual 
shots you often read of in tracts during war times. I am 



844 HISTORY OF THE 

glad to verify it, and say unhesitatingly that I recollect 
perfectly seeing this one. 

On the after deck of the steamboat a sheet was spread 
across, and behind this surgical operations and amputations 
were going on all the time of our passage. We were two 
nights and one day going down the Rappahannock and up 
the Potomac to Washington, where we arrived the morn- 
ing of the second day after our departure, which must have 
been May 29th. 

Case and I went right up to a small hotel, the Owen 
House, alongside of Willard's, and set to work without 
delay obtaining 'leaves of absence.' without which we could 
not get out of Washington, and to arrange which just then 
required a good deal of time and red tape formality. At 
the end of about three days I received the following 
Drder : — 

Head Quarters 
Department of Washington, 
Washington, D. C. May 30, 1864. 
Special Order No. 133. 

Leave of absence for Thirty (30) days is granted to Lieutenant 
Nathan Appleton A. D. C. of the Artillery Brig. 5th Corps, on sur- 
geon's certificate of disability arising from wound, to proceed to his 
home. At the expiration of this time he will report in person at 
his command (or hospital), thence notifying these Headquarters by 
letter. 

By command of Major General Augur. 

Chas. Raymond, 
Assistant Adjutant Getteral. 

By this time my arm was frightfully swollen, sloughing 
freely, and I was beginning to feel feverish from it all. I 
was glad to be off. I engaged my berth in the sleeping-car, 
and a little before dusk I drove down with Joe to the old 
Baltimore and Ohio railroad station. The jolting of the 
hack was painful. I was feeling far from well, though 
happy enough at the prospect of returning home, when 
whom should I meet in the street but Professor Eben N. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 845 

Horsford of Harvard University, whose aid to the I'nion 
cause was strong, and who soon after the war was ap- 
pointed by Governor Andrew on the commission for tlie 
defence of Boston Har1x)r, and prepared a report of the 
plans to be pursued in the event of the approach of Confed- 
erate cruisers. He devised a marching- ration for the army 
wliich reduced transportation to a very low figure. He 
stopped the carriage, gave me a warm and pleasant greet- 
ing, and I started off on my journey encouraged by his 
cheery words and sympathetic presence. 

We were soon en route, but the official would not allow 
Joe to stay in the sleeping car, simply because he was a 
negro, and negroes were not then allowed to travel in these 
cars, quite ignoring the fact that he was the servant of a 
sick and wounded officer of the Union army. I had not 
been long in the car when a gentleman, a stranger came 
to me and asked if I would not like to go to bed. He called 
up the porter, had my bed made up at once, and told me 
his berth was over mine. After helping me undress he said 
if during the night I w^anted water or anything I must call 
upon him. I availed myself several times of his kindness, 
and thanked him from the Ixottom of my heart. The next 
morning he explained to me that he. himself, had once been 
wounded, in South America, and knew what it was. and 
that he had been incapacitated by bad health from taking 
part in the w-ar. I, stupidly, did not think at the time of 
asking his name, but I shall never forget him, and I shall 
only be too glad if he can know through these lines of my 
gratitude for what he did for me during that long night 
railroad journey. 

On arrival in New York I drove to the Astor House 
where my friends w'ere sent for and a surgeon to dress my 
wound. I went to Boston that night by the Stonington 
line driving up to 39 Beacon street about seven o'clock the 
next morning. Again at home with all its comforts and 



8-46 HISTORY OF THE 

attentions which had been prepared for me, I was attended 
by Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, and later by Dr. John Mason 
Warren. 

A month after I was wounded I was given the following 

CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION. 

Lieut. Nathan Appleton, A. D. C. of the 5th Mass. Battery, having 
applied for a certificate on which to ground an application for leave 
of absence, I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined this 
officer, and find that he is invalided in Boston, suffering from a gun- 
shot wound in right arm received in action May 25, 1864. The wound 
is still suppurating. And that in consequence thereof he is in my 
opinion unfit for duty. I further declare my belief that he will not 
be able to resume his duties in a less period than twenty days from 
June 29th, 1864. and is unable to travel without increasing the risk 
of permanent disability. 

Dated at Boston the 2Sth day of June, 1864. 

Ansox p. Hooker, M. D. 
Approved 
A. N. McLaren, 

Surgeon U. S. A. 
Med. Director. 

At the summer residence of my family at Lynn I had a 
doctor look after me who did not at all comprehend the case. 
My arm was bent at almost a right angle, from carrying it 
in the position it was held in the sling, and he proposed to 
cut the cords to let it down straight. Fortunately this ex- 
periment was not tried, and Dr. Warren, as Dr. Bigelow 
was on his vacation, later took hold of it and straightened 
it in a great degree, simply by pulling it down by main 
force every few days, and getting it out a little straighter at 
each trial, even today (1901) it is not perfectly so, and 
never will be, and two scars are plainly marked on it with 
a loss of flesh and muscle between them, otherwise it is all 
right. On the 25th of July, 1896, I had a Roentgen X Ray 
photograph taken of my arm by Professor Clinton E. Dol- 
bear, at 20 Tremont street, Boston: about 7 minutes expos- 
ure. It shows that the flesh has never filled up in the line 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 847 

of the wound. The bone was not touched by the bullet. 

The wound on the leg made quite a sore for a time, but 
dressing and plaster soon cured it, as it was merely a shock 
against the skin and the flesh beyond. 

In August, 1864, I received another 

CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION OF GUNSHOT WOUND. 

Lieut. Nathan Appleton A. D. C. of the 5th Mass. Battery, having 
applied for a certificate on which to ground an application for leave of 
absence, I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the officer, 
and find that he is invalided in Boston, Mass., suflfering from the 
effects of Anchylosis of the right elbow joint, the result of a gunshot 
wound received in action May 2Sth, 1864, and in consequence thereof, 
he is, in my opinion, unfit for duty. I further declare my belief that he 
will not be able to resume his duties in a less period than twenty days 
from August 28, 1864, and is unable to travel without incurring the 
risk of permanent disability. Prospect of recovery — not remote. 
Dated at Boston this 27th day of August, 1864. 

Wm. J. Dale, A. S., U. S. A. 
Approved 

A. N. ^McLaren, 

Surgeon U. S. A., 
Med. Director. 

But in the mean time I had sent in my resignation, and 
the circumstances of my promotion and subsequent dis- 
charge from the service were peculiar. 

By Blake's death at the Battle of Peterslmrg (see p. 877) 
I was commissioned First Lieutenant, and this of course 
made a vacancy for another Second Lieutenant in the Bat- 
tery. Hamblet was promoted and commissioned, but. by 
some stupid red tape arrangement, it was impossible for 
either he or I to be mustered in to our new positions except 
actually in the field, and from the date of muster only couUl 
pay be drawn. This was of no importance to me, but it 
was to him in the matter of pay, and, as I did not wish to 
return to the arm\- until my arm was quite well. I found 1 
was keeping the other lieutenant out. So, I resigned and 
was honorably discharged for disability, though all the time 



848 HISTORY OF THE 

I had the fixed intention of rejoining after a short trip 
abroad. 

ORDER OF DISCHARGE. 

War Department Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, Aug. 25, 1864. 
Special Order 

No. 280 Extract. 

19. 2d Lieut. Nathan Appleton 5th Mass. Battery, having tendered 
his resignation, is hereby honorably discharged the service of the 
United States, on account of physical disability from wounds received 
in action, with condition that he shall receive no final payments until 
he has satisfied the Pay Department that he is not indebted to the 
Government. 

By Order of the Secretary of War. 

(Signed) E. D. Townsend, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Official : 

(Signed) Ford. Morris, 
Lieut, and A. A. A. G. 
Official : 

(Signed) Charles A. Phillips, Capt. ^ 

Sth Mass. Battery. 

In a letter dated Hd. Qrs. Art'y Brigade, 5th Corps. Sept. 
8, 1864, General C. S. Wainwright wrote me: — 

"I was very sorry to get your resignation, though I think that it 
was perhaps the best thing you could do, as your wound continued to 
trouble you so much. I had anticipated a good deaJ of pleasure in 
having you with me. As it is I have not got any one in' your place. 
Matthewson has been made a captain and commands his company. 
Morris is still A. A. G. and Canfield my only aide.' 



While writing this sketch several men of the Battery 
come to my remembrance with peculiar distinctness on ac- 
count of their positions in the Battery. There was Winters 
the bugler, much older than most of the members of the 
Battery when he enlisted with some of the first recruits, and 
the other bugler, Tucker, and also Hayden the Battery 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



849 



guidon. The letter carrier too was important in the expe- 
rience of the Battery. The youn^ fehow who used to shave 
me was Niles. The forms of the farriers and teamsters too 
come back to me, and there were two cooks, Burt and 
Phippen, the latter waited at our mess, and also drove on 
the march the two-wheeled battery cart we officers had for 
our own personal effects, and which was of the greatest 
convenience and comfort. 

On the 1 8th of March, 1865, I was commissioned As- 
sistant Inspector General on the staff of the Commander-in- 
Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor 
John A. Andrew, and duly took the oath as Captain on 
March 27th. I immediately started for the front to report 
to General Wainwright still in command of the Artillery 
Brigade, Fifth Army Corps, to whom I was detailed as 
Volunteer aide de camp. 

T v>as present at the Battle of Five Forks and at the 
Surrender at Appomattox, and marched with the Army of 
the Potomac in the Grand Review of May 22d, 1865. riding 
my favorite horse 'Folko,' who had been left with General 
Wainwright while I was away from the Army, the little 
one remaining with the Battery. 

COPY OF A BREVET. 
The 

President of the United States of America. 

[Seal of the 
U. S. A. War Office] 

(Picture of an eagle with outspread wings beneath the motto 

"E Pluribus Unum.') 

To All who shall see These Presents Greeting. 

Know ye, That I do hereby confer on Nathan Appleton, of the 

United States Volunteers, in the service of the United States by and 

with the advice and consent of the Senate, the rank of Captain By 

Brevet, in said service, to rank as such from the thirteenth day of 

March, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 

sixty-five, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle on Virgmia 

Central Railroad. 



850 HISTORY OF THE 

And I do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under 
his command, to obey and respect him accordingly, and he is to observe 
and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as he shall 
receive from me, or the future President of the United States of 
America, and other officers set over him, according to law, and the 
rules and discipline of War, this Commission to continue in force 
during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time 
being. 

Given under my hand at the City of Washington this twenty-fifth 
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-five, and in the ninety-first year of the Independence of the 
United States. 

By the President. Andrew Johnson, 

! Edwin M. Stanton 

Secretary of War. 

At the bottom of the document is an elaborate drawing, 
representing the arms, munitions, and emblems of the ser- 
vice, and on the upper left hand corner the words : — 

"Recorded Volume 5, Page 47, Adj't. General's Office, August 25, 
1865. E. D. Townsend, Ass't Adj't. Getteral. 



October 30, 1866, a letter was sent me from the War 
Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, as 
follows : — 

Sir: I have the honor to enclose to you herewith, your commission 
of Brevet Captain, the receipt of which please acknowledge.. 
I am sir, very respectfully 

Your obedient servant 

J. C. Kelton, 
Assistant Adjutant Gen'l. 
Brevet Captain Nathan Appleton 
U. S. Volunteers. 



This letter did not reach me in regular course, for I had 
set out on my third voyage across the Atlantic." 



CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE 

THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH. 

June 3, 1864. 

"Thou shouldst die as he dies 
For whom none sheddeth tears; 
Filling thine eys 

And fulfilling thine ears 
With the brilliance of battle, the bloom and the beauty, 
the splendor of spears." 

— SwixnuRXE. 

It has been seen that General Grant's order to General 
Meade dated Ouarle's Mills, Va., May 25, 1864, directed 
him to observe the following explicit instructions viz., 

"As soon as it is dark tomorrow night, start the Division which you 
withdraw first from Wright's (Sixth) Corps, to make a forced march 
to Hanover Town (within 20 miles of Richmond) taking with them no 
trains to impede the march. At the same time this Division starts, com- 
mence withdrawing all of the Fifth and Sixth Corps from the south 
side of the river and march them for the same place. ... As soon as 
the troops reach Hanover Town they should get possession of all the 
crossings they can in that neighborhood." 

On the 26th of May, 1864, the base of supplies of the 
Army of the Potomac was ordered to be established at 
White House on the Pamunkey River. The relative posi- 
tion of the two armies was as follows : — 

The Right of the Confederate Army rested on a sw^amp 
east of the Richmontl and Fredericksburg railroad and south 
of the North Anna River, their Centre on the river at Ox 
Ford and their Left at Little River. The Second Corps of 
the L^nion Army, with one Division of the Ninth Corps, 

851 



852 HISTORY OF THE 

had crossed at Chesterfield Ford, and covered the Right 
wing of Lee's Army. One Division of the Ninth Corps 
was on the north bank of the North Anna at Ox Ford, con- 
venient for reinforcing either wing of our army. From a 
point at a short distance above Ox Ford on the south bank 
of the river to Little River parallel to the enemy's lines, 
were the Fifth and Sixth Corps and one Division of the 
Ninth Corps. The line during the 26th was extended to the 
Left to join the Ninth Corps. The three batteries with 
:\Iajor Robert H. Fitzhugh,— 4th U. S. Battery B, the 
Fifth Mass. Battery, and the 15th N. Y. Independent Bat- 
tery, were engaged at times on the skirmish line of the front 
of the First Division Fifth Corps under Griffin, but could 
elicit no response from the enemy's artillery, although the 
15th N. Y. and the Fifth Mass. Batteries suffered consid- 
erably from the enemy's sharpshooters. The artillery, how- 
ever, accomplished the object for which it was posted, by 
silencing in a measure the enemy's skirmishers in front of 
the First Division. 

The Sixth Corps, commanded by General H. G. Wright, 
had all reached Cold Harbor at 2 p. m. of June ist, and 
General W. F. Smith, with his command from the Army of 
the James, arrived there an hour after. General Warren 
was then in command of the Fifth Corps, and the enemy 
with all its Corps consolidated, were intrenched in line of 
battle in front of him. At night Hancock with the Second 
Corps arrived, and was placed on the left of the Sixth 
Corps, across the Mechanicsville road. In order to unite 
wnth the right of Smith's command, the left of the Fifth 
Corps was obliged to hold a line three miles in extent, from 
Bethesda Church to Smith's position. The ist Division 
Fifth Corps under Griffin, was massed at Bethesda Church. 
The cavalry were ordered to protect the Right of the Army 
from Bethesda Church to the Pamunkey River. 

On the afternoon of June 2d, the confederate general 



I 
1 

i 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. «r>P, 

Early attacked the Right flank of our army and the other 
divisions of their army moved forward, attacking ours at 
various unprotected points, ending with a desperate charge 
along the whole line, Ijut were forced back to the road by 
our -infantry. A part of the Ninth Corps was driven in and 
the enemy got in the rear of the Fifth Corps skirmish line, 
but at dark their advance was checked, and the enemy re- 
mained where they were at nightfall and intrenched. Gen- 
eral Grant says of the action of our troops that "the at- 
tacks were repulsed but not followed up as they should have 
been," — the old complaint, but General Grant went farther. 
He says : — "I was so annoyed at this that I directed IMeade 
to give orders to his corps commanders that they should 
seize all such opportunities, when they occurred, and not 
wait for orders, all of our movements being made for the 
\-ery purpose of getting the enemy out of his cover." 

On the 3d the enemy's lines extended from the Totopot- 
omoy to New Cold Harbor : the Union lines from Bethesda 
Church by Old Cold Harbor to the Chickahominy. That 
day the troops under Generals Hancock, Wright and Smith 
assaulted the enemy's works at Cold Harbor and captured 
some rifle pits, while the Ninth Corps under Burnside and 
part of the Fifth Corps attacked the Confederate position 
near Bethesda Church in order to clear the Mechanicsville 
turnpike, and carried an advanced line under a galling fire 
of artillery and musketry, the enemy's batteries being 
securely posted under cover. This closed the offensive oper- 
ations of our forces at that point. 

The rebels left our front in the night June 4th. 

On June 7th our lines were extended from the Chicka- 
hominy River to which the Second Corps line reached, to 
Despatch Station on the York River railroad, and the cav- 
alry were sent to Charlottesville and Gordonsville to destroy 
the Virginia Central railroad and its connections; Grant's 
plan being, after having the Army supplied with rations 



854 HISTORY OF THE 

to once more move the Army to the south side of the 
James River. This movement commenced after dark on the 
1 2th of June. Griffin's ist Division with 4th U. S. Battery 
B, ist N. Y. Battery D, and the Fifth Mass. Battery, led 
the column. 

The Fifth Corps followed by the Second Corps withdrew 
from Cold Harbor, crossed the Chickahominy at Long 
Bridge, passed through Charles City county and reached 
the James River on the evening of the 13th; the cavalry 
protecting the movement over the White Oak Swamp. The 
Sixth and Ninth Corps crossed the Chickahominy at Jones 
Bridge and General W. F. Smith took his troops of the 
Eighteenth Corps back to the White House and thence to 
City Point. The enemy were in possession of the ground 
from Malvern Hill to White Oak Swamp. In the wake of 
our Army moved 3000 head of beef cattle and 50 miles 
of wagon trains. 

Looking back along the track over which they had 
fought their way from the banks of the Rapidan, they could 
count forty-three days of almost continuous fighting, with 
the loss of fifty-four thousand nine hundred and twenty-six 
men. The list of casualties in the Artillery Brigade of the 
Fifth Corps in the operations about Cold Harbor and 
Bethesda Church numbered 35. Of this loss 25 was suf- 
fered by the Fifth Mass. Battery, ist N. Y. Battery D. and 
4th U. S. Battery B. As to the effect on the enemy Gen- 
eral Grant says in his report : — 

"The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, and 
Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our side, were even 
more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled him as to make him wary 
ever after of taking the offensive." 

On June 14th General Grant had determined to transfer 
the Army south of the James River, and the Eighteenth 
Corps under General Smith having arrived back at Bermuda 
Hundred, 50 miles south of Cold Harbor, General Grant 
personally visited that point and gave orders for General 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



855 



Smith with all available troops, to move directly upon 
Petersburg where at that time the intrenchments were held 
by only a few troops, and General Smith moved as ordered 
and reached Petersburg before daylight of the 15th of June, 
1864. 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

At daylight of the 26th of May, returned to our position. 
During the day fired 4 percussion shell. Marched all that 
night with Griffin's Division, recrossing the North Anna 
River at Quarle's Mills : then marched south along the river. 
The object of this movement was by flanking him again to 
turn the position from which Lee could not be forced. The 
whole Fifth Corps crossed the North Anna River having 
accomplished destroying the railroad. 

May 2y, 1864. Passed Carmel Church on the way down 
the Panumkey River, halting for an hour at noon. Plenty 
of forage through the C(_)untry, ])igs in droves and flocks of 
turkeys and poultry. Marched all the night of the 26th, 
and all day of the 27th. The infantry were pretty well 
used up, having very sore feet. At 4 o'clock halted for a 
short time. Passed a plantation owned by a widow Carle- 
ton, containing 34 buildings and 50 slaves. 

May 28, 1864. Reveille at 3 a. m., started at 5, marched 
about 12 miles. Passed Hebron Church, Corinth Church, 
Enfield, and having crossed the Pamunkey River, went into 
line and remained for the night. Beautiful spring weather. 
The Battery marched ahead of the Artillery Brigade at- 
tached to the Fifth Corps, and crossed the Pamunkey at 
Hanover Town alxnit noon. 

Found the cavalry engaged with the enemy, and were 
placed in position in a road on the left flank of the Fifth 
Corps, which formed line of battle at 3 p. m., and built 
breastworks with the batteries in position behind them, the 



SC^Q HISTORY OF THE 

enemy having been found entrenched in our front. The 
left of the Fifth Corps rested on Totopotomoy Creek, and 
the right crossed the main road to what was called "Hawes's 
Store." The positions of the batteries from right to left, 
were Battery B, ist Penn., 4th U. S. Battery B, Ninth 
Mass. Battery, Battery C, ist N. Y., Batteries E and L, ist 
N. Y., Fifth Mass. Battery. 

May 29th, came out of position and advanced a1)out 2 
miles by way of "Hawes's Store," on a very dusty road, to 
the left of our line which reached across and a short distance 
beyond Totopotomoy Creek : the same ground from which 
the enemy was driven. 

"At dark (Dyer's Notes) unhitched and unharnessed, 
got supper and turned in for the night. It is six months 
since the horse fell upon me, and I think I shall always 
remember him, also James Kay, who did all he could for 
me." 

Our fortifications were being strengthened. The men 
caught a calf and killed it. They found it, they said, very 
nice veal. 

May 30th, 1864, advanced about a mile and a half over 
ground which the enemy had just left. They attacked our 
forces in the afternoon, and were driven back. The men 
made a stew of veal and went to bed at 11 p. m. 

May 31st the Battery was roused at daylight. Oppor- 
tunity was given during the day for a change of clothes. 
Very hot day. The horses remained in harness all day, 
from 6 a. m. Heavy firing came up from our forces a long 
distance to the left. This was the attack made upon the 
Fifth Corps, General G. K. Warren commanding, by the 
rebel general Early who was attempting to turn Warren's 
left. To relieve this pressure General Meade ordered an 
attack along the whole line. 

June 1st. Boots and saddles were sounded at 8 o'clock. 
Moved to the front. Stopped in the woods till 3 p. m., then 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 8S7 

went intO' position on the left of the 5th Corps, on the 
Mechanicsville road. Dyer wrote, ''The heaviest fighting 
there has been, both of artihery and infantry, occurred from 
4 p. m. tin 9 p. m. At 10 turned in, with orders to get up 
at 2." 

HaUed for the night at Barnett's Tavern. 

June 2d, General ]\Ieade ordered the Ninth Corps to re- 
lieve the Fifth Corps, but the Xinth Corps under the com- 
mand of Major-General A. E. Burnside, was attacked while 
moving to the rear of ^^^arren's right to protect that flank, 
and the Fifth Corps was involved in the battle that followed. 

June 2d, 1864, a new arrangement, believed to be perma- 
nent, was made with the artillery. The Fifth Mass. Bat- 
tery, Battery B, 4th U. S., Lieut. James Stewart, and Bat- 
tery D, 1st N. Y., Lieut. L. L Richardson, were assigned 
to the First Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by General 
Charles Griffin then massed at Bethesda Church, and dur- 
ing the night orders were received by Captain Charles A. 
Phillips of the Fifth ]\Iass. Battery, placing him in command 
as chief of the Division Artillery. Senior First Lieutenant 
Peleg W. Blake was left in command of the Fifth Mass. 
Battery. 

Captain Phillips reported at Division Head Quarters at 
daylight of the 2d, and in the afternoon he placed Lieut. 
Stewart's Battery in position on the Mechanicsville road, 
and at dark changed his position, and brought up Lieut. 
Richardson's. At daylight of the 3d he placed Lieut. 
Blake's with the others. 

"Jmie 2d. (Shackley's Notes) Captain Phillips com- 
mands the artillery of the ist Division, 5th Corps. Fred 
D. Alden was wounded through the bnver part of the b(^dy. 
Died, ^^'illiam Revnolds had thigh broken near the hip." 



858 HISTORY OF THE 

DEATH OF F. D. ALDEN. 

Notes of Corporal Shackley. 

"While the Battery was in close order awaiting Orders, 
William Reynolds was inside the left wheel of the Gun, his 
back against the wheel. F. D. Alden, with his elbows on 
the Gun, was facing Reynolds. Alden's back towards the 
enemy. Corporal Shackley was sitting on the caisson eating 
hard tack, when a rebel shell struck the ground some 50 
yards away, ricocheted, and struck Alden at the base of his 
spinal column, going completely through, and smashing 
the pelvis bone, making the most terrible wound. Alden 
lived nearly two hours after being wounded. Reynolds had 
one of his legs broken near the hip, but recovered from his 
hurt. Both the sponge staves were broken, and the muzzle- 
sight was knocked off the piece. Corporal Shackley saw 
the shell strike the ground and watched its course until it 
stopped. It did not explode." 



Dyer says on June 2d: — "Hitched up at 2^ o'clock, got 
breakfast and left park at daybreak. Went off to the right, 
stopped till 10, went back to our old position, unhitched 
and unharnessed. At 2 p. m. hitched up, formed line of 
battle. Fighting commenced at 3, and continued with a 
continual roll till 9 p. m. Fred D. Alden mortally wounded, 
and Wm. Reynolds badly wounded. Allen Almy came to 
see me." 

From Shackley's of June 3d : — ^"W. H. H. Lapham was 
killed and buried in a box near a small tree, and his name 
marked on a piece of board nailed to the tree. The Battery 
took position and fired about 400 rounds. The Battery 
charged half way across the field and drove a rebel battery 
from their position." 

Bethesda Church is about five miles from Mechanicsville, 
Va., by the Old Church Road, and about three miles from 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 859 

Gaines Mills, the scene of the battle of June 27. 1862. 
There was a belt of woods in front of the church, which at 
the narrowest was about three-eighths of a mile, but broad- 
ened out to the width of half a mile at the widest part. The 
advanced position of the rebel intrcnchments faced this 
widest portion of the woods a few hundred yards awav. and 
were built on a line parallel to and a little in advance of an- 
other road southeast of Bethesda Church, which was at 
right angles with Old Church Road. 

REPORT OF LIEUT. L. I. RICHARDSON. 

'■June 2. — Marched out at it a. ni. to near the position of the 30th: 
went in park near Bethesda Church. While here I received orders to 
put my battery in position, faced to the rear. Moved out of position 
about s p. m., and went into park, where I remained until dark. I 
^en received orders to move my battery out to the front, — our rear, — 
where I was assigned my position by Captain Phillips. I then went in 
camp for the night. 

June 3d: The enemy opened upon us this morning to which we re- 
plied, — my position was the left of the three batteries. B, Fourth United 
States on my right, and E, Fifth Massachusetts on the right of that, — 
and silencing them, they soon moved to another position, and again we 
silenced them, but this time it cost me dearly. It was here I lost the 
brave and efficient officer Lieutenant (Charles) de Mott, he being 
struck with a piece of case-shot, which passed through him, killing him 
instantly; I also lost i man killed and 4 wounded, at this place. 

At this time the enemy had an enfilading fire upon us, as well as the 
fire in our front ; we could do nothing with them only in our front. 

Our line of battle soon advanced, and I was ordered, — with the other 
batteries, — to advance on the open plain in my front. As I moved up, 
the enemy opened on us with canister, but with little effect. I soon 
got my position, and we silenced the enemy's battery, so much so that 
one hour after getting this position, not a shot was fired from them. In 
this position I lost i man killed and 2 wounded." 

ACTION OF STEWART'S FOURTH U. S. 

Augustus Buell of this battery says of its action at 
Bethesda Church, in his book entitled ''The Cannoneer," 
"Story of a Private Soldier": — 

"In our front, where the Mechanicsville Pike entered the grove or 



860 HISTORY OF THE 

woods, west of the Bethesda Church, there was a clearing which ex- 
tended some distance into the woods, forming a sort of pocket or recess. 
This clearing may have been lo or 15 acres in extent, and was of a tri- 
angular shape, so that it was commanded by the woods on both flanks. 
It was in this clearing, about at the base of the triangle, that the enemy 
came in battery. Between us and the enemy there was a stretch of low 
ground, somewhat grown up with small brush, and the old pike was 
graded up to some extent through this low ground. . . . When the 
Rebel battery came into position, we were 'standing at ease' in column 
just back of Bethesda Church. The battery was halted in column of 
pieces, left in front. The Old Man (Stewart) was lounging on his 
saddle, near the right gun, with his elbow on the pommel and his chin 
resting on his hand. . . . Suddenly Gen. Griffin beckoned to Stewart, 
who left us and rode over toward the General. ... A few words 
passed between the General and Stewart, which I did not hear, of 
course, being at that moment in the act of mounting the limber-chest, 
but afterward learned that Gen. Griffin said : 'James' — he usually called 
Stewart by his first name in that way — 'can you go in battery under 
that fire?' 

'Yes, sir; where shall I unlimber?' 

'Suit yourself about that, but keep an eye to your supports. I would 
like to see that battery silenced.' 

'I will shut it up, sir.' " 

Of the appearance of the battery in the charge, he says : — 

"Every Driver lying forward on his horse, whipping and yelling; 
every Gunner and Cannoneer hanging on for life to the guard-rods of 
the limber-chests, and bounding six inches high from the springless 
seats as the huge wheels flew over the ruts ; a long trail of dust stream- 
\ng behind, and the very earth made to smoke and tremble under the 
fierce tramp of the flying steeds ! Speed was everything here, because 
\t was necessary to get there quic'K and get to work, before the enemy 
ODuld get many rounds into us. . . We had 13 or 14 men hit altogether 
in this afifair, of whom 10 or 11 went down in the single minute that it 
took us to unlimber and get in the first load. . . . The day being hot 
and sultry, with mo air stirring, the smoke hung right in front of us, 
so that after the second or third round we could not see the enemy at 
all, but we could hear his canister rattling among our guns and wheels 
like big hail-stones, or whizzing past our heads, or whirring through 
the grass and bushes. But we had the exact direction by the well- 
defined tracks of the wheels in the first recoil, so there was no difficulty 
in pointing, and all we had to do was 'keep her muzzle down.' In three 
minutes we could feel the enemy's fire slacken. In seven or eight min- 
utes more he ceased entirely, and then, as the smoke lifted, we saw his 
deserted guns standing silent in the field !" 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



SGI 



FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASS. 
BATTERY. 

In his account of the part taken in the Battle of Bethesda 
Church hy the Third Mass. Battery, the historian says: — 

"The three batteries of Griffin's Division were placed in an open 
field just across the road from Bethesda Church the enemy being 
strongly intrenched in front. Early in the morning the Ninth Corps 
advanced on our right, and soon after an advance was made by the 
Second Brigade of Griffin's Division. This brigade was annoyed in its 
advance by the fire of a rebel battery, and our artillery was ordered to 
follow it up to silence the enemy's guns. 

The three batteries, — the 3d, 5th, and 9th Mass. — therl advanced 'by 
battery,' the Fifth Massachusetts leading, across the open field inter- 
vening, until within canister range, where we were obliged to halt by 
the enemy's sharpshooters. A heavy fire was poured into the rebel 
battery, which effectually silenced it, and the next morning, when the 
enemy abandoned their works twenty-two dead horses were found 
where their battery had stood." 



MAJ. GEN. BURN SIDE TO MAJ. GEN. WARREN. 

"12.30 p. m. June 3, 1864: General Griffin is ready to do what he can 
with Sweitzer's brigade and his batteries. Colonel Sweitzer reports the 
enemy moving to our left." 



Post Script to letter of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Potter, com- 
manding the 2d Division Ninth Army Corps, 2.25 p. m. 
June 3, 1864:— 

"Griffin I fear will make nothing. The enemy's works are across 
an open field and extend beyond his right. He docs not think he can 
carry them." 

Gen. Jacob B. Sweitzer, colonel commanding Brigade, to 
General C. Griffin June 4, 1864, 5 a. m. :— 

"General : I have the honor to report that my pickets have advanced. 
and are now in the rebel earthworks in my front. The enemy have 
left." 

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS' REPORT. 

Captain Phillips in his Report to Lieut. Fordham Morris, 
acting assistant adjutant general of the Artillery Brigade 



S62 HISTORY OF THE 

of the Fifth Army Corps, dated Aug. 6, 1864, and embrac- 
ing the period between May 4, 1864, and that date, contains 
the fohowing reference to the Battle of Bethesda Church : — 

"After crossing the Pamunkey we were not engaged until 
the 3d of June. On the ist of June, Stewart's (B, 4th 
U. S.) Winslow's (D, ist N. Y.) and my own Battery 
were assigned to Griffin's Division and remained with ir 
during the rest of the campaign. On the 3d of June, my 
Battery was placed in line with Sweitzer's Brigade and on 
the right of Lieut. Stewart on the right of the Mechanics- 
ville pike opposite Bethesda Church. 

Early in the morning the three batteries of the Division 
engaged a rebel battery in our front, and silenced it. In the 
forenoon Sweitzer's Brigade advanced across the open field 
in our front, whereupon the rebel battery reopened, annoy- 
ing them very much, as its fire nearly enfiladed the brigade. 
The three batteries at once advanced, firing by battery, 
until within 600 yards of the rebel battery, which was soon 
silenced. The next morning we discovered about 20 dead 
horses in the position occupied by the rebel battery, showing 
the accuracy of our fire: casualties one killed. 

Casualties during the epoch 2 killed, one wounded." 

At the close of this Report Captain Phillips again refers 
to this action as follows : — 

"I desire to bear testimony to the ability and uniform 
good conduct of the officers and men of my command. 
While attached to General Griffin's Division I was in com- 
mand of the Division Artillery, leaving the Battery under 
the immediate command of my senior officer. Lieut. Blake 
was in command at Bethesda Church and until his death on 
the 1 8th of June at Petersburg, and handled the battery 
with marked ability and bravery." 

NOTES OF LIEU"\ T. E. SPEAR, JULY 24, 1901. 
"The killino- of one man and the wounding of Reynolds 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 863 

by a ricochet shot, the terrible enfilading fire we were under, 
and the charge made by the Battery from the rifle pits 
across an open field to a position not over five hundred 
yards from the enemy's position or earthworks, is my re- 
membrance of this fight." 

NOTES OF PRIVATE WM. H. DUNHAM, MARCH 

29, 1901. 

"On June .^d, 1864, occurred one of the most daring 
things of the war, the charge of the 5th Mass. Battery. 
This w'as the first instance ever known of any battery mak- 
ing a charge unprotected by infantry. The position of the 
rebel battery was such that it w^as able to annoy our infan- 
try, without receiving any check. General Griffin saw that 
if a battery could advance to a knoll within 400 yards of 
them, the advantage would then be ours. He came, to 
Captain Phillips and said, 'Dare you take your battery 
to yonder knoll?' 

Captain Phillips answered, — 

T dare take my men anywhere.' 

General Griffin then said : T want a battery on that knoll, 
but I do not order you there.' 

However, orders were immediately given bv Captain 
Phillips. 

I, as No. I, took my sponge staff and bucket, William 
Carsley as No. 2, a round of ammunition, and so on. The 
order was then given, — 

'Limber to the front, double quick. March !' 

We started in on the yell under a heavy fire. The I4ti 
New York were in our rear, they told us they did not ex- 
pect to see a man or horse standing. 

As soon as we came in battery, there was rapid work 
until the rebels were silenced. Our only casualty was the 
loss of Comrade W. H. H. Lapham, who was killed durin- 
the charge in the open field. 



864 HISTORY OF THE 

The next day, on the spot which the rebels had occupied, 
were found lo new graves marked 4th Georgia Battery; 
also, 22 dead horses, showing the effect of our guns." 

From John E. Dyer's Notes of June 3d, 1864: — 

"Hitched up at daylight and went in position. Soon the 
ball opened, and continued without intermission till 11 a. m., 
when General Griffin ordered the Battery to charge with the 
infantry. We went in with a yell, driving the Rebs, and 
came in position 2. \ oi 2. mile in advance of our breast- 
works. One of our comrades, W. H. H. Lapham, was 
killed. Kept firing at intervals. The sharpshooters kept 
-pegging all day." 

The mention in Appleton's Diary is: — "At Bethesda 
Church, Lapham (of Ouincy) our best dressed man, one 
of the service of the piece, was killed." 

Fired 172 case shot, 224 Percussion. 

Quarter Master Sergeant Peacock's memoranda for 
June 2d shows, "2 sponge staffs broken by a shell." 

June 4, 1864, the supplies came up. The Battery re- 
mained all day in position, and withdrew at night. The 
Rebs. attacked our Right Centre to gain the road, but were 
repulsed. The Ninth Corps moved to the left at dark, and 
Griffin's Division of the Fifth Corps formed the extreme 
Right of the line crossing the Mechanicsville road in front 
of Bethesda Church, and extending about three-quarters of 
a mile from the road. At 9 o'clock p. m. turned in. The 
morning of Sunday the 5th hitched up at daylight, fed, 
watered, and then unharnessed. All that day remained 
in position near Bethesda Church. 

Corporal Shackley notes on June 5th, 1864: — "A part 
of our company fund was used to buy some cheese." 

THE COMPANY FUND. 

In a letter written to Captain Henry D. Scott by Serg't. 
William H. Peacock in Chicago, Sept. 7, 1900, he says: — 



FIFTH MASS. B ATT FRY. 805 

"In my old book you will notice some sums collected for 
Company Fund. I think I was the only Quarter Master 
in the Battery that ever got pay for the rations we saved 
on, or did not draw. From my recollection now we were 
unable to make a fund after leaving Winter Quarters, but 
we had this winter saved money to use during the summer. 

COMPANY SAVINGS, 1864. 

January $76.05 

February 167.30 

March 125.87 

April 99.68 



$468.90 

I think this was the (inly 'savings' by us made during tlic 
war. It was used mostly while in camp at Rappahannock 
Station, yet a portion Avas kept for the Grant campaign." 

Shackley's Notes of June 5, 1864, resumed: — "About 
sunset had orders to move. Just then the Rebs made a vio- 
lent attack on our Left which soon extended along the 
whole line. We got on the road about 10 p. m. and halted 
a little after sunrise, having moved about four miles during 
the night." 

At 5 p. m. hitched up, and at dark received orders to fall 
in behind the ist Division. The Fifth Corps started to go 
to the left. Marched all night. At daylight of the 6th 
passed Allen's Mills and camped a mile beyond, alwut two 
miles from Cold Harbor. 

In camp made coffee and then lay down to rest. At 1 1 
a. m. unharnessed. Remained in park all day. The Second 
Corps did some shelling. 

Among Dyer's memoranda for this day, is a mention of 
Lute Shaw's coming up : "Got some butter and pickles of 
Stephen Townsend. W^ent to bed at 9 p. m. The bands 
all playing in big style. June 7th packed up and hitched 



866 HISTORY OF THE 

up at 2 a. m. At daylight started with the ist Division, and 
after marching 5 miles went into camp. The infantry went 
into position, there being no place for artillery. Our skir- 
mishers were put along the Chickahominy by Sumner's 
Bridge. The Rebs shelled us at intervals all day. At dark 
they threw a few 64 pounders." 

Shackley, June 7th: — "Moved at sunrise and halted near 
Despatch Station. The enemy shelled us slowly all day till 
near midnight, but no great damage was done." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"On the Chickahominy near 
Sumner's Lower Bridge, 

June 8, 1864. 
. . . Yesterday Griffin's and Cutler's Divisions marched 
at 3^ a. m. for this place. General Bartlett's Brigade put 
pickets on the Chickahominy at Sumner's Lower Bridge, 
after a little skirmishing, and one of Cutler's Brigades 
gained possession of one end of the R. R. bridge. While 
doing it the Rebs fired at them from a 5 inch rifled gun, 
mounted on an iron clad R. R. car. I saw one of the shells 
at General Griffin's Hd. Qrs., which weighed empty 57^ 
pounds. We then went quietly into camp, and are now 
holding the banks of the Chickahominy. We occupy the 
ground occupied by the 2d Corps before the battle of Fair 
Oaks, and General Griffin's Hd. Qrs. — close by us, — are in 
a house occupied by General Sumner 2 years ago. The 
rebels have some guns across the river, and occupy their 
leisure moments in shelling us. However, as they cannot 
see us, their shells are rather a harmless kind of fireworks. 
We are very pleasantly placed now that we are attached to 
Griffin's Division. Griffin is a good general, and has one of 
the best Divisions in the Army; acknowledged to be by all 
odds the best Division in this Corps. General Griffin under- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 8G7 

stands artillery, and I suppose selected the batteries to be 
assigned to him. Our Battery is very well liked in the 
Division, and all the officers I have seen seem well pleased 
at having us with them. I am now Division Chief of Artil- 
lery and command 3 batteries. I have had a captain as- 
signed to duty on my staff. I would be very willing to 
yield my position if Captain Martin would come back with 
a double-breasted coat and take it, as I hope he will. 

June 9, 1864. P. S. I am sorry to have to add a list 
of killed and wounded after I finished vesterday June 8. 
Killed Charles P. Carling. Wm. J. Sheergold. Wounded, 
Henry D. Crapo leg, will lose his leg, perhaps, and life, — 
David McVey right side severely. Edward F. Smith neck 
and chest severely, but not dangerously. The three last 
are from New Bedford. P. Emerson slightly. 

P. S. Henry D. Crapo died on reaching the hospital." 

From Phillips' Diary: "June 8, 1864. Carling and 
Sheergold were buried just across the road. June 9. 
Buried Crapo with the other two men." 

Notes of Corporal Shackley : "June 8, 1864. While 
quietly eating our supper the Rebs run a car on the railroad 
out towards Wliite House Landing, with a piece of artillery 
on the car, and without coming in sight of us fired three 
shells, one of which fell short of us, the third passed beyond 
us, but the second fell right in our midst. (Dyer says it was 
a ten pound Parrott shell ) and exploded, killing Charles P. 
Carling, Wm. J. Sheergold, fatally wounding Henry D. 
Crapo, and seriously wounding E. F. Smith, David Mc\'ey, 
Mortier Gale, Paesiello Emerson. The three dead were 
enclosed in boxes and buried under a large oak tree. Their 
names were placed over their graves, and all enclosed with 
a simple fence. Rev. Mr. Sage of the 4th Michigan Infan- 
try performed the funeral service." 

In O. M. Serg't. Peacock's Account Book is the following 
entry: — "June 8, 1864. Make certificate for 41 havresacks 



868 HISTORY OF THE 

unserviceable, and 33 canteens abandoned. 3 shelter tents 
destroyed by bursting of shell. John G. Hiller." 

June loth received 10 new horses. Remained in camp 
all day. Grained horses twice during the day. The 4th 
Division Fifth Corps moved down on the left. Some 
shelling towards night. A hot day. 

June II, 1864. Aroused at 5 o'clock. Fed, watered, 
grained. Laid out the camp in order and pitched the tents 
in line. String beans for dinner. The Fifth Corps moved 
by the left fiank. Several deserters passed by from the 
rebel army. No picket firing between the ist Division and 
rebel pickets. Dyer slept on a bed of magnolias. At dark 
of June 1 2th the Division moved to Petersburg in the fol- 
lowing order: — 2d Brigade, ist Brigade, Battery D, ist 
N. Y. Art'y; Battery B, 4th U. S. Art'y; Battery E, Mass. 
Art'y, 3d Brigade. 

Marched until 2 a. m. of the 13th and halted till sunrise. 
Crossed the Chickahominy on two bridges, one of four 
boats and one of two boats, and moved forward about three 
miles. Went into park in the rear of White Oak Swamp 
Bridge where there was cavalry fighting to retam posses- 
sion of the road. Later, about dark, came in sight of the 
James River with its gunboats and transports. June 14th, 
1864. Marched at 5 a. m. for Charles Citv C. H., and 
arrived there about 7 o'clock. Halted till noon, and then 
marched up the road tAvo miles. Marched past Grant's and 
Meade's Head Quarters. Reached Wilcox's Landing at 3 
p. m., and went into position. The left of the ist Division 
rested on the James River, the right on the road. 

Phillips in his Diary of June 14th says: — "Placed Blake 
on the road, Stewart a little to the left." Were placed in 
position to guard the crossing of the James for the rest 
of the Army. 



Petersburg. 




/. First posit Jon of the S'^^Mass. Battery June /T'^'' Z.Head(^itQrters of 
General ^'yarren. 3.Low around. 4. High Ground. 5. Place where the. 
5'^ tiass Battery cam-pecL from June Z4*^ ^ July 30'^ 6. The place, 
lohere the enemu's forMficafio-ns xuere destroyed, by the 
mine c/ July 3 0^- 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE BATTLE OF PETERSBURG. 

JCNE 1 8. 1864. 

"Over the camp-fires 
Drank I with heroes. 
Up to the star-roof 
Rang out their song." 

— Ballads, Charles Kingsley, 
"It is the signal that demands dispatch." 

— Young, On the Value of Time to a Man. 

At Petersburg the enemy's lines consisted of redans occu- 
p}^ing commanding positions, with rifle pits connecting 
them, and ditches in front of them. To the east side from 
the Appomattox the intrenched Hnes extended a mile, to 
the City Point railroad; another line south three miles 
to a point a mile west of the W'eldon railroad, and from the 
Norfolk railroad west to the Jerusalem Plank Road, a mile 
and a half. The country surrounding the city was uneven, 
and extremely difficult ground for assaulting columns. 

At 9 o'clock in the evening of June 15th General W". F. 
Smith with the Eighteenth Corps, had captured five of the 
enemy's redans, and the morning of the i6th Hancock with 
the Second Corps captured one. In the afternoon he took 
possession of one more, to their right, and two to their left; 
all having guns in them. 

On the 17th of June, 1864. the remainder of the Army 
of the Potomac had crossed the James River, and advanced 
upon Petersburg; the Fifth Corps on the left of the Ninth 
Corps. 

Some of the intrenchments defending the enemy's interior 

869 



870 HISTORY OF THE 

lines, which had been captured by our forces, had been 
retaken by a charge from the Confederates, when an order 
was issued by General Meade, for an assault at 4 a. m. of the 
1 8th by the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Corps. Brigadier 
General Lysander Cutler, with the 4th Division of the Fifth 
Corps, was sent to the extreme left, with orders to intrench. 
The 3d Division under General Crawford, formed in line of 
battle on the left of the Ninth Corps, while the remainder 
of the Corps was held in reserve. General Butler, at Ber- 
muda Hundred, was reinforced from the Sixth Corps and 
troops from the same corps were sent to the Eighteenth. 

On the morning of the i8th it was found that the Con- 
federates had fallen back to a line of intrenchments, still 
nearer Petersburg, scarcely a mile from the city. General 
D. B. Birney with the Second Corps was only 300 yards from 
this new line. The Ninth Corps, while covering the distance 
of a mile which they had to go, met a force of the enemy 
at a ravine near a cut on the Norfolk Railroad, over which 
the enemy had control by holding the northern end. The 
Fifth Corps also advanced over a greater distance broken by 
deep ravines, and thf same cut in the railroad. The assault 
was postponed to 12 o'clock noon, in consideration of these 
obstructions to a swift advancement, and the order was 
carried out by General Birney with one Division of the 
Second Corps which was nearest to the enemy, and which 
was rqDulsed, with great loss. 

Then the order was given for all the corps to assault, 
and the Second Corps was again driven back, but the Ninth 
Corps drove the enemy out of the railroad cut, and began 
intrenchments within a hundred yards of the enemy's main 
line. 

The Fifth Corps, exposed to a raking fire from the enemy, 
passed over every obstacle in the way, and approached to 
within 20 feet of the enemv's works which had onlv held a 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 871 

few troops until their commander Beauregard had been re- 
inforced by Lee's Army. 

The men of ours who were in advance, were the ist and 
2d Brigades of the ist Division, and Colonel Joshua L. 
Chamberlain, then in command of the ist Brigade, fell, 
desperately wounded, and was promoted by General Grant 
on the field. 

General Grant in his reference to this in his Memoirs, 
says : — 

"He had several times been recommended for a brigadier-generalcy 
for gallant and meritorious conduct. On this occasion, however, I pro- 
moted him on the spot, and forwarded a copy of my order to the War 
Department asking that my act might be confirmed and Chamberlain's 
name sent to the Senate for confirmation without delay." 

General Cutler with the 4th Division of the Fifth Corps 
secured a redoubt which the enemy had abandoned, and 
brought his left up into line with the other corps. 

The result of the three days' operations was the capture 
of two lines of intrenchments, four guns, four colors, and 
about 500 prisoners, 

LIEUT. GEN'L GRANT TO AIAJ. GEN'L MEADE. 

City Point, Va. 
June 18, 1864. 
10 p. m. 
Major General Meade: 

I am perfectly satisfied that all has been done that could be done, 
and that the assaults today were called for by all the appearances and 
information that could be obtained. Now we will rest the men, and use 
the spade for their protection until a new vein can be struck. . . . 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant General. 

It was thus determined to settle down for a siege of 
Petersburg in the same manner as the investiture of York- 
town was carried on, with long lines of breastworks, mortar 
batteries, redoubts and field works of every kind, the bomb- 
proof, the covered way, the countermine and a mine the 



872 HISTORY OF THE 

story of the explosion of which has been, Hke a famous 
shot, "heard round the world," 

The engineers called it the "Investment of Petersburg" as 
it was not strictly speaking a siege any more than the invest- 
ment of Yorktown was a siege, but General Grant, while 
carefully explaining the distinction, invests the movement 
with the title by courtesy, and constantly refers to it as the 
"Siege of Petersburg." 

When the siege commenced the Ninth Corps was placed 
upon the right, the Fifth next, the Second next, and then 
the Sixth Corps. 

In order to completely encircle Petersburg it was neces- 
sary that the Weldon and the Lynchburg railroads should 
be controlled by the Union forces. The Sixth Corps was 
ordered to perform that duty, and the Second and Fifth 
Corps being in line, the left of the Second Corps was ex- 
pected to swing around and connect with the Sixth Corps, 
but delay was caused by a change of orders, and the rebels 
taking advantage of the space between, prevented the com- 
pletion of the circuit and frustrated the attempt of the Sixth 
Corps tO' take possession of the Weldon railroad. So the 
Sixth Corps intrenched themselves facing the railroad and 
watched it ; the corps pickets being stationed on the railroad 
itself. 

In the direct front of Petersburg were pressed the Fifth 
and Ninth Corps clear up to the Confederate works. Then 
and there was the Fifth Corps again reorganized. It was 
still to be commanded by General G. K. Warren and the ist 
Division was still to be commanded by General Charles 
Griffin, but there were important changes in the Divisions, 
and several additions were made to the Artillery Brigade 
with Colonel Charles S. Wainwrlght still in command. It 
consisted of 13 batteries, all light; 2 regular, and the re- 
mainder from New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. 
The Third Mass. Batterv was commanded bv Lieut. Aaron 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 873 

F. Walcott, the Fifth Mass. Battery by Lieut. J. E. Spear, 
the Ninth Mass. Battery by Captain lohn Bi^elow. 



The Fourth of July, 1864, was celebrated by the playing 
of the bands and the firing of salutes. At night the first 
ground was broken bv the pioneers of the ist Brigade for 
the work afterwards known as Fort Sedgwick and called 
by the men "Fort Hell" on account of the continual burst- 
ing of the enemy's shells within the enclosure. It was built 
under the supervision of an engineer officer; the execution 
of the work being under a field officer detailed daily for this 
purpose. The working parties consisted of three hundred 
or four hundred men who practically completed it in about 
three weeks. It consisted of a large redan, a portion of 
fortification included in a single salient angle, with another 
smaller redan at its right, connected by curtains with front 
and flanking ditches; the larger had eighteen embrasures, 
the smaller four. It was connected with the rear by a zig- 
zag covered way, and had bombproofs and traverses, — 
masses of earth thrown up at short distances to screen the 
troops from shot and shells fired in ricochet, — to complete 
the work. 

Orders were given on the 9th of July to the Fifth and 
Ninth Corps, to conduct regular siege operations under di- 
rection of the chief of engineers and the chief of artillery 
for the x^rmy. The Rebel and Union lines were here but 
about 100 yards apart, the pickets but fifty yards, but our 
men walked behind the breastworks in perfect safety. 

On the night of July 13th the number of batteries of 
light artillerv was increased on the line near the Jerusalem 
Plank Road, to which the Fifth Mass. Battery marched on 
the 2 1 St of June. The lines of the Second and Sixth Corps 
had been destroyed, and our lines made shorter. The siege 
of Petersburg was actively begun. Working parties of the 
Fifth Corps were building two strong redoubts, defensible 



874 HISTORY OF THE 

on all sides, on the line running south on the Jerusalem 
Plank Road. One of these was the aforementioned Fort 
Sedgwick, the other Fort Davis. They were about a half- 
mile apart. The batteries furnished many working parties. 
As time passed many covered ways were constructed for the 
use of our trains, six feet deep, 12 feet wide with a barricade 
of logs four feet high and four feet thick. From our forts 
we could see the effect in the city of the bombs thrown by 
our mortars and hear the ringing of the fire alarm bells. 

THE MINE. 

The design of undermining a confederate fort known as 
"ElHott's Salient" in front of the Ninth Corps, originated 
with a lieutenant colonel of a regiment composed of miners, 
the 48th Pennsylvania, of the name of Henry Pleasants. 
He was encouraged to undertake it, and an assault was 
ordered to follow the explosion of the mine which was set 
for the 30th of July. It was ready to be charged on the 23rd 
and several eight and ten inch siege guns had been placed 
so as to secure a cross-fire and keep down their flank fire. 
On the night of the 29th, the day the Fifth Mass. Battery 
was placed in Battery Number Eight, the troops were at 
work all night getting ready for the bombardment. Gen- 
eral Warren's orders were to concentrate his troops on his 
right and prepare to support the assault of Burnside and 
the Ninth Corps. Pioneers and intrenching tools were to 
be ready to follow up the advantage gained. The artillery 
was to be held in readiness to move, with pontoons at hand 
for crossing the Appomattox River, with good supplies of 
fascines, — bundles of long twigs, — to make firm footing 
on marshy ground. The ist Division under command of 
General J. J. Bartlett, in the absence of General Griffin at 
home sick, was to hold the intrenchments in front, and keep 
up a continuous fire of musketry. The gallery to the mine 
was over 500 feet long, with a cross gallery of over 80 feet. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 875 

There were 8 chambers, requiring a tun of powder each to 
charge them. 

The mine was to explode at break of day, but the fuze 
was wet by water from the bed of a smaU creek, unde" 
which the gallery was built, and it did not go off till it was 
broad daylight. 

The explosion was eminently successful, throwing every- 
thing within reach of the blast high into the air, and open- 
ing a space in the ground about 150 feet long, 60 feet wide, 
and 25 feet deep. Following the explosion no cannon and 
50 mortars went off at the right and left of the position 
which the infantry were to cross. The surprise was mostly 
on the Confederate side but the effect of the shot was shared 
by the attacking party, for the assault did not take place as 
ordered, nor was the crest of the hill commanding the 
city of Petersburg seized, but some rifle pits were taken by 
our troops before the enemy got his guns planted in a posi- 
tion to rake the ground over which our men had to pass. 
They were afterwards retaken notwithstanding the heavy 
fire of our batteries, for after our first attacking party our 
infantry refused to advance. For various reasons relating 
to the orders given and to the difficulty of carrying them 
out, time enough was lost to enable the Confederates to 
train their guns on the pit, which made an advance impos- 
sible. The moment for successful action was that imme- 
diately following the blast and with the loss of that moment 
the entire plan failed. 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY 
Letter of Captain Phillips. 

"Camp on the James River, 
2 miles above Charles City C. H. 

June 15, 1864. 
. . . Our Batterv is on the road from C. C. C. H. to 



S76 HISTORY OF THE 

Har. Ldg. Part of the Army is over the river, and I sup- 
pose the whole will cross. General Meade's Hd. Ors. are 
between us and the Court House. As we passed them 
yesterday I counted 33 tents in the front row, which does not 
look as if our generals were reducing their baggage to the 
famous tooth-brush we hear so much of in the Vicksburg 
campaign. ... I hear indirectly that Lieut. Appleton's 
wounds are turning out worse than was expected. 

Rifle pits are dug all along our front, and I do not think 
there is much chance of the rebels coming down here to 
attack us. Grant has an interesting way of putting the bag- 
gage wagons about 20 miles in the rear and keeping them 
there. I have seen mv valise once since the 6th of Mav." 



Dyer's Notes: "J^^^^ I5> 1864, we were still in position. 
The team went to Harrison's Landing after forage. Several 
gunboats passed up and down the river. General EwelTs 
Corps made great preparations to receive us at Malvern 
Hill, but was mistaken in our destination. A splendid day. 
June 1 6th. Aroused at i^ o'clock. Broke camp at 
2^. Marched down the bank of the river 6 miles, crossed it, 
and went in park 6 miles beyond. At 9 a. m. left camp, 
marched till 9 p. m., and went in park for one hour. Got 
supper, then marched to near Petersburg, and went into 
camp at 10 p. m. Found the 9th and 2d and i8th Corps en- 
gaged with the enemy." 

Shackley's Notes: "J^"^ 16, 1864. Moved at daylight, 
crossed the James River at Powhattan Point, over a pon- 
toon bridge (made of loi pontoons) and marched towards 
Petersburg, coming near that place a little past midnight." 
They crossed with the Fifth Corps, and landed on the 
Point opposite Fort Powhattan, not far below Windmill 
Point. Roads very dusty. Serg't. Peacock's account book 
has the entry June i6th: "i caisson stock broken by turn 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 877 

over the carriage. Ordnance lost in Battle; spurs, straps, 
and belts." 

"On the i/th (Dyer) turned out at 5.V o'clock. The men 
fed and watered the horses, and then went to sleep again. 
In the afternoon and evening heavy firing was heard in 
our front and on our left, which we afterwards learned 
was the Ninth Corps taking the rebel pits. As we turned 
in, orders came to be ready to move at a moment's notice, 
it was presumed to assault the works. A hot day. At 
night the rebels abandoned their lines, and fell back about 
a mile. The Second Corps had captured 17 pieces of artil- 
lery."' 

THE ASSAULT. 

June 18, 1S64, at daylight Griffin's First Division 
marched from Windmill Point to the front, and carried the 
Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. The three light batteries 
attached to the Division advanced in an open field and si- 
lenced the rebel guns. Earthworks had been thrown up for 
the guns at 500 yards from the enemy. Shot and shell 
were fired. The Battery w^as under heavy artillery fire all 
the afternoon. 

Private Benjamin S. Kanuse of New Bedford, was killed 
by a shell, and aljout 5 o'clock p. m. Lieut. Peleg W. Blake 
was killed by a rifle shot. Private Alexander N. Atwtiod 
of Fairhaven, Joseph L. Knox of Boston, and John G. 
Hiller of Marblehead, were wounded. 

The Report of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts 
for 1864, has the following in relation to the action of the 
Battery in this assault : 

"Heavily engaged in front of Petersburg. The batteries of Grif- 
fin's Division as at Bethesda Church, advanced 'by battery,' and engaged 
the Rebel batteries in their works. We lost quite heavily, our greatest 
loss being in the death of First Lieutenant Peleg W. Blake, a brave and 
efficient officer, who was instantly killed by a rifle-shot late in the after- 
noon." 



878 HISTORY OF THE 

Dyer's Notes: — "J^"""^ iS, 1864. Hitched up at 5 o'clock. 
Advanced with the ist Division about i^ miles, when the 
Rebs opened upon us. Went in position under a terrible 
fire. Soon advanced, and within an hour we advanced 3 
times. Having gained the Norfolk and Petersburg railroad 
we established our lines. We lost Lieut. Peleg Blake and 
Benjamin Kanuse killed. Joseph Knox badly wounded. 
Alex. Atwood, Henry Fitzsimmons and Atkins slightly 
wounded." 

FROM "THE CANNONEER," BY AUGUSTUS 
BUELL, 

Historian of Battery B, 4th U. S. Lieut. James Stewart 
commanding, attached to the ist Division, Fifth Corps: — 

"During the night (of June 17th) General Grififin got his batteries 
up into the Norfolk Railroad cut, which at that point curved to the 
north, and ours was disposed so that we could rake the cut for a con- 
siderable distance. Richardson's took position to our right, and near 
the Avery house, while Phillips came up on the left. This position was 
about 600 yards from the enemy's main works at that point. Thest 
were new works in a second line, and the outer intrenchments that he 
had abandoned on the day before, ran along near our position. As far 
as we could see to the right were long lines of infantry toward the 
works. The ground was much broken, and as the lines conformed to 
the ground, it had the appearance of great waves of men. 

In our front the infantry had farther to go than those to the right of 
us, but we were too busy to see much of it. 

As both our guns and the Rebel works were on the highest ground, 
we could easily fire over the heads of our infantry until they got pretty 
close up. The Rebel infantry in the works reserved their fire, and only 
a few guns that they had back of their trenches replied to us slowly; 
but we fired very fast, and our practice was the best in our history. 
Our work here was literally that of an artillery skirmish line, as we first 
onened the assault, and then covered the retreat of the infantry when 
repulsed. Nearly every shot grazed their works, and we knocked off a 
good many of their head logs. But the ammunition was some that we 
had got out of the barges at Windmill Point and . . . not more than 
half of our case exploded, though the common shell did better. How- 
ever, our three batteries soon silenced the guns the enemy had in his 
works. The practice of Phillips' Battery, — three inch rifles, — was 
superb on this occasion. Twice in succession he hit their guns plum 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 879 

centre, by firing into the embrasures, and the way his percussion shell 
made the sand bags fly was a caution. Of course our smoothbores 
could not compete with Phillips's rifles, but we kept our little end up 
somehow. As they had made these works hastily, and there was little 
or no brush in the neighborhood, they were not much abatised ; but the 
infantry said the ditches were unusually wide and deep. The last shot 
we fired could not have cleared Bartlctt's men's heads by more than 20 
feet, if that, which is pretty risky practice with smoothbore guns. We 
remained silent here for nearly an hour, when the infantry having been 
repulsed and taken cover in the ravine and the low eround in our front, 
we commenced a slow cannonade which we kept up till near dark. The 
infantry meanwhile straightened out the old rebel works, refaced them, 
and by midnight were securely established in the lines which we held 
at that point during the whole siege that followed. 

We were withdrawn after dark behind the railroad, and the siege of 
Petersburg was begun. 

Caotain Stewart writes me concerning the operations of the i8th of 
June as follows : — 

'When the Corps reached Petersburg the morning of the iSth of 
June. General Griffin came to me and told me that he wanted me to 
move my battery forward, and that he would cover my advance by the 
other two batteries. After moving a certain distance, and Phillips and 
Richardson having joined me, I was directed to move forward again, 
the General pointing out the place where he wished me to form the line 
of batteries, but when I reached the place I found there was no protec- 
tion for either men or horses, but that there was a good position about 
200 yards in advance of it. I moved forward to that point, the other 
batteries coming up on my left. You will recollect the place. It was 
in the front and a little to the right of the Avery house, where General 
Warren had his headquarters. The enemy had substantial works in our 
front with embrasures for their guns. While advancing to our posi- 
tion, the enemy opened upon us with a very heavy fire of artillery and 
infantry, but our artillery fire was so very effective, that they closed up 
their embrasures with bags of sand and withdrew their guns. I do not 
remember how many men I lost that day, but it was not many. Cap- 
tain Phillips's Battery lost pretty heavily, his First Lieut, being killed. 
Phillips was one of the best artillery officers I ever met : a thorough 
gentleman, and an officer who always looked out for the best interests 
of his men. .\ftcr that attack of June i8th it was quite a common say- 
ing that the batteries assigned to Griffin's Division were always used as 
skirmishers, and such was the fact' 

THE FORTIFICATIONS. 

At first the guns of the light batteries were mounted in the redoubts, 
but as soon as the siege trains came up our guns were gradually replaced 
by the 20-pounder Parrotts and four-and-a-half inch Rodmans. 



S80 HISTORY OF THE 

Meantime the caissons were parked, and a caisson camp established 
some distance back from the main lines, which at this point were only 
a few hundred feet apart. It was in the edge of a grove, on high, dry 
ground, where there was a good shade. Our left flank rested on the 
bank of a little ravine, formed by one of the headwater brooks of the 
Blackwater, and in our rear at some distance, was the 'fresh beef cor- 
ral,' or herding ground of the Fifth Corps. 

The artillery furnished gun crews for their own guns or the siege 
pieces in position, or helped to strengthen the redoubts. This work 
was always done at night ... to see their rifles flash in the darkness 
a few hundred feet away, was the most trying thing I had ever expe- 
rienced. . . . This work of log cutting and digging was done between 
June i8th and July 15th. The Fifth' and Ninth Corps held the line, 
from the Appomattox on the right, beginning with Fort McGilvery, to 
the Jerusalem Plank Road on the left, a distance of over four miles, 
our Fifth Corps resting its left flank on the heavy redoubt known after- 
wards as Fort Davis, in front of the Cheever house, and its right join- 
ing the left of the Ninth at the Suflfolk Road. 

Fort Rice was half way between the Avery house and Fort Sedg- 
wick. ... It was then the nearest point to the Rebel main line on the 
Fifth Corps front, though the Ninth Corps line at Fort Morton was 
still closer. . . . These earthworks finally formed one continuous forti- 
fication from Fort McGilvery on our extreme right at the Appomattox 
River round to Fort Fisher on our extreme left, between 11 and 12 
miles long, or perhaps 15 miles, measuring along the top of the parapet, 
besides heavy reverse works to our rear, extending from the Blackwater 
Creek round to the Weldon Railroad at Globe Tavern, a distance of 
seven or eight miles ; thence south a mile and a half to Fort Dushane, 
covering that portion of the Weldon Railroad which we used as an 
adjunct to our 'military railway,' and thence westward from Fort 
Dushane to Armstrong's mill, near the Vaughan Road Bridge, across 
Hatcher's Run, a distance of about 8 miles more, — in other words, 32 
to 35 miles of earthworks that it would be absurd to call mere 'field 
entrenchments,' but which were on the whole regular fortifications, quite 
equal to those I have since seen in Europe at places on the Franco- 
German and German-Russian frontiers, which their engineers consid- 
ered permanent strongholds. . . . 

THE ARTILLERY BRIGADE. 

Up to this time the batteries of the Corps had been distributed among 
the Divisions ; ours, Phillips's and Richardson's, having been with Grif- 
fin since about the last of May. But as soon as the siege operations 
began, the Artillery Brigade was massed together again, and put into 
camp. . . The Norfolk Railroad cut was the key of the position in 
our front when the assault was made. It is the cut by which that road 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 881 

gets through the ridge on which the Avery house stands: this little 
ridge forming the watershed between the brook that forms the head of 
the Blackwater flowing eastward, and a small creek that heads just 
south of the old Blackwater Road, and flows northward, emptying into 
the Appomattox just in front of Fort McGilvery, its entire C(jurse 
lieing between the two lines and its sloping banks forminii the 
elevations from which the two sets of earthworks frowned at each 
other during the rest of the war. 

This cut is about one-third of a milt- long, its deepest part being 
directly in front of the Avery hou=e. and not more than 200 yards dis- 
tant from it, at which point it may be 30 to 35 feet deep perpendicularly. 

It was in this cut that Griiiin massed his Division for the last assault 
about 4 o'clock p. m. June i8th, and from the southeast end of it our 
battery, with Richardson's and Phillips' debouched on to the knoll 
above to fire over the heads of our charging infantry. Our line of 
works curved round the head of the little brook flowing into the Appo- 
mattox, and then crossed the cut at a point about due west from the 
Avery house." 

Corporal Shackley's Notes: — -'*June 18, 1864, went into 
line about 8 a. m. . . . Fired 375 rounds." 

FROM THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

To Lieut. Fordham Morris A. A. A. G. Art'y Brigade 
5th A. C. August 6, 1864. 

"FIFTH EPOCH. 

The Battery was first engaged on the i8th of June in 
front of Petersburg. Griffin's Division having been or- 
dered to advance, Sweitzer's Brigade was placed on the 
right of the road crossing the Norfolk and Petersburg 
R. R. and advanced across the railroad. The batteries of 
the Division were placed on the left of the road, my own 
being the right battery, and advanced "by battery' evenly 
with Sweitzer's Brigade. After advancing about 400 yards 
we reached the crest of the ravine, and remained there the 
rest of the day. During our advance we were constantly 
engaged with the rebel batteries, but suffered very little 
as their fire was uniformly high, and our constant change of 



882 HISTORY OF THE 

position prevented them from getting the range. After 
reaching our final position we were much annoyed by mus- 
ketry fire, and alx)ut 4 p. m. ist Lieut. Peleg W. Blake was 
killed by a rifle shot. Casualties : i officer killed, 4 men 
killed, four wounded." 

In another portion of this report he says of Blake and 
Spear: — "In his (Blake's) death we have lost one of the 
best ofiicers in the service. After his death the Battery was 
commanded by Lieut. J. E. Spear, who filled the position 
ably, and to my entire satisfaction. The enlisted men, 
without exception, behaved admirably, showing bravery and 
coolness in action, and a patient endurance of the hardships 
of the campaign." 

.In a letter dated Camp before Petersburg, June 25, 1864, 
Captain Phillips says: — "The death of Lieut. Blake on the 
1 8th was the saddest event we have had happen in the 
battery, and the greatest loss we have ever had. The body 
has been embalmed and sent home." . . . 

NOTES OF CAPTAIN NATHAN APPLETON. 
May II, 1901. 

"I write this at the Fort Monroe Club, and the light 
comes through an embrasure, where doubtless years ago 
there was a, for the time, big gun, but now a small glass 
window. 

I have referred in my recollections of the first day of 
Spottsylvania, to the 32d Mass. Regt. Infantry and having 
made the acquaintance of its commander Colonel George L. 
Prescott. He was killed at the first attack on Petersburg, 
June 18, 1864, the very day that Lieut. Peleg W. Blake, my 
old comrade, was killed. I have seen Colonel Prescott'^: 
grave at Concord, Mass., and have often thought of him 
in connection with his namesake who commanded the Yan- 
kee troops at Bunker Hill, both of them of the same true 
American type. I have met a veteran of the 32d Mass. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. 



883 



who has given me the details of the death of Colonel Pres- 
cott. He was just mounting up the side of the railroad cut 
when he was shot, as also the color-bearer of the regiment 
whose place was at once taken by this soldier whose name 
is Henry K. Ellis, a resident of Middleboro', Mass. 

It was not until Grant secured the Danville and also the 
Southside railroads south of Petersburg, that it was all up 
with the Army of Northern Virginia (Confederate forces) 
Lee, Jeff Davis, and all the confederacy at Richmond and 
thereabouts, and this was not done until the beginning 
of the campaign of 1865, which finished it up quickly. The 
investment of Petersburg had not accomplished it." 



In the forenoon of the 19th all three batteries were moved 
to the rear and went into camp. Sunday, June 19th, 1864, 
Corporal Shackley made the following entry in his Diary : — 
"Took the gun out of line. Short of ammunition." 

Dyer wrote : "Heavy picket firing all night. Soon after 
dark last night the Rebs attacked us, but were repulsed. 
This morning we took our Battery out of position, with- 
drawing one piece at a time, running it off by hand. Went 
in park f of a mile to the rear. In the evening 2 mortars 
opened upon the Rebs from the 9th Corps. June 20th. 
Aroused from peaceful slumber at 5^ a. m. Remained in 
park all day. Batteries in our front were shelling through- 
out the day. At two hours before dark the Rebs opened 
and kept up a fire till dark. Lieut. O. B. Smith (Then 
Lieut. O. B. Smith Battery E, 3d U. S. Heavy Artillery in 
Gillmore's loth Corps) visited our Battery. On guard 
tonight." 

Corporal Shackley: "June 20, 1864. Received a supply 
of ammunition. June 21st moved about 4 miles to the left 
and went into camp." 

The Second and Fifth Corps were being relieved by the 
Ninth, and all night of the 20th the latter corps was moving 



884 HISTORY OF THE 

past them. Left camp at 12 m. on a very dusty, warm day, 
with Griffin's ist Division, which was placed on the left 
of Ayres, the right resting on the Jerusalem Plank Road. 
Camped in the edge of the woods. 

June 22d the men dug a well for water and a guard was 
posted near it. In the evening the Second Corps were 
attacked while straightening their lines. The Batterv 
hitched up and went into position, but soon limbered up, 
and was back to camp by dark. The next day the rebels 
made several demonstrations along the line, and at dark 
there was some cannonading. On the 24th received orders 
from Corps Head Quarters that a heavy attack was appre- 
hended on our right. Tents were struck, and the men 
packed up ready for a move, and remained ready, lying in 
the hot sun. At dark they repitched their tents. The Rebs 
in making the attempt to force back our right were repulsed. 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

June 25, 1864. 

We are now encamped in a field on the eastern side of 
the Jerusalem Plank Road i. e. the Plank Road which 
goeth from Petersburg unto Jerusalem, passing througa 
Sussex C. H. on the way. We are about equidistant from 
Petersburg and Blackwater Creek at the place where the 
Creek crosses the Plank Road aforesaid. Our camp is quite 
pleasant being far enough removed from the road to escape 
the clouds of dust which now form a prominent feature in 
the landscape. We are out of range of the enemy's guns, 
thanks to the topography of the country, the trees being sd 
thick in front of our Division that there is no chance to put 
in a battery. So for the last three days we have been 
enjoying a rest from the troubles and turmoils of war. 
There seems to be a little lull at present, as if we were wait- 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 885 

ing for something to turn up. The weather is very hot and 
the dust is becoming intolerable. It is nearly three weeks 
since we had any rain, and the whole country is drying up. 
Our horses have to go a mile and a half to water and it is 
often hard to get water enough for the men. However, 
dust is better than mud, and the dryness of the season has 
been of the greatest assistance to us. We did not visit 
the place of our former sojourn at Harrison's Landing, but 
struck the James River at a much pleasanter spot." 

Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, June 26, 1864. A warm, hot, 
sultry day. Considerable cannonading occurred off to the 
right. Towards night it commenced raining and we had 
quite a shower. Two years ago today we bid good bye 
to our camp at Gaines Mills. It is also the anniversary of 
the fight of Mechanicsville. June 27, 1864. Anniversary 
of Gaines Mills fight. On guard today. Not much firing 
occurred. The Battery has been digging a large spring 
for watering horses, and with good success." 

On the night of the 28th they had three feet of water in 
the well. This was the second well dug and it was curl^ed 
with planks like the first. 

LETTER OF Q. M. SERG'T. PEACOCK. 

"Camp near Petersburg, Va. 

June 28. 1864. 

This campaign beats everything I have seen, so far, in 
war, — continual fighting and marching for two months, 
and still the fighting continues. I cannot go away from 
the Battery at any time without meeting loads of dead and 
wounded men. So far our Battery has lost 9 men killed and 
16 wounded; i lieutenant killed, and i wounded. We suffer 
much from the heat, and no rain for so long a time makes 
the dust awful. Every other day I am at City Point. 10 
miles from here." 



S86 HISTORY OF THE 

"June 29, 1864, (Dyer's Notes) everything remained 
quiet throughout the day, the pickets having agreed to not 
fire at one another. General Wilson's cavalry got sur- 
rounded as they were returning from destroying the rail- 
road, and cut their way out. 

June 30, 1864. We sent Benjamin Kanuse's body home 
today with money raised by the company. July ist. 
Reveille at the usual camp hour 5 o'clock a. m. Received 
something from the Sanitary Commission for the 4th of 
July. Clark came up with some sutlers' goods." 

July 2d, they built an arbor out of brush over the com- 
pany street, and Gorham brought up the rest of the sutler's 
goods. The next day the men helped the sutler fix his tent. 
They heard shelling on the right, and some more things 
came from the Sanitary Commission. 

July 4, 1864, the entry in Serg't. Peacock's Account Book 
is, — "Fourth of July, 1864. In camp near Petersburg, Va. 
enjoying an excellent dinner furnished by the U. S. Sani- 
tary Commission. A beautiful day." 

They did not, however, all fare alike. Captain Phillips 
wrote July 5th : "Our soldiers had a fine dinner yesterday, 
provided by the Sanitary Commission. There were toma- 
toes, mutton, beef, in cans, and a barrel of porter." Dyer's 
entry is as follows : — "On guard today. Some firing at in- 
tervals of five minutes. Had roast chicken, toast, mutton, 
fried eggs, and crackers, for dinner, also porter to wash it 
down, presented to^ us by the Sanitary Commission." But 
Shackley writes : — "The canned stuff is divided, i can to 
each man in the ist, 2d and 3d Detachments, but the men 
are not satisfied, and make it very unpleasant. The 4th 
and 5th Detachments made soup of their share and paid 15 
cents per pound for potatoes." 

MANNING THE HEAVY GUNS. 

To quote again from The Cannoneer the words of the 
historian of Battery B, Fourth U. S. (Stewart's) : — 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. S87 

"The Avery house redan was finished and mounted with two siege 
guns ready for action about 2 o'clock in the morning of July 4, 1864; 
General Warren being present in person when the gun detachments 
were told off for the heavy guns, and superintended the replacing of 
the gabions after the siege guns were placed in their proper position 
and the hanging of the mantlet of coiled rope to protect the can- 
noneers from sharpshooters. Our fire was very slow and deliberate 
that first day, the men were to be drilled who had never handled siege 
guns. The Rebels did not reply with much vigor. . . . The dry weath- 
er facilitated the building of the works, the construction of which was 
said by the veterans to be a picnic compared to the digging in the 
trenches before Yorktown two years before." 



On July 5th a fort or square redoiilit was laid (Uit di- 
rectly in front of the camp, on the ground occupied by Bat- 
tery D, I St N. Y., (Richardson's) and they were obliged 
to leave. One corner was in close proximity to the cook 
house which was built on the 5th and covered with brush. 
At night half a ration of whiskey was dealt out to the men. 

Note in Peacock's Account Book : — "Ammunition on 
hand in Battery, percussion, case and canister — 4 guns an<l 
2 extra caissons, July 5th, 1864, of the ist, 2d, 3d and 4th 
Detachments." 

The infantry worked on the redoubt on the 6th and 
threw up a large pile of dirt. On the 7th they worked all 
day and all night. Captain Phillips rode down to the iSth 
Corps with Captain Bigelow, Captain Dow of the 6th Maine 
Battery, and Lieut. Stewart, 

July 8th the men dug two wells. At half past 4 heavy 
shelling. Our battle line was advanced to the picket line, 
and the Rebs opened upon us, but we held the groimd gained 
and at night intrenched. 

THE ARMY RATION. 

The regulation Army Ration issued by the War Depart- 
ment, and copied from Peacock's Account Book was as fol- 
lows : — 

"12 oz. Pork or Bacon or 

134 lbs. Salt or Fresh Beef. 



888 HISTORY OF THE 

i8 oz. Soft Bread or Flour or 

12 oz. Hard Bread or 

20 oz. Corn Meal, 
and to every 100 Rations 

15 lbs. Beans, or Pease or 

ID lbs. Rice or Hominy 

10 lbs. Green Cofifee or 

8 lbs. Roasted 

iH lbs. Tea 

15 ' Sugar 

4 qts. Vinegar 

134 lbs. Candles 

4 lbs. Soap 

ZVa lbs. Salt 

^ lb. Pepper. 
On a campaign or march the Ration of Hard Bread is one pound. 
Desiccated compressed potatoes or compressed mixed vegetables at 
the rate of one and a half ounce of the former and one ounce of the 
latter to the ration, may be substituted for beans, pease, rice or 
hominy. July 8, 1864. Per Order of the Secretary of War. 

E. M. Stanton." 



July 9th the carriages and harnesses were all cleaned up 
for inspection which took place next day. Captain Phillips 
inspected the batteries of the Division. The Battery was 
inspected at 7.30 a. m. As soon as it was over Dyer went 
up to the 23d Mass. Regt. and saw a number of New Bed- 
ford boys : among them Charles Thompson who looked 
pretty sick. July nth the infantry were still at work build- 
ing forts. 1 2th Dyer was on guard at the well, and had hi.^ 
hands full keeping the infantry away from it. At 12 
o'clock orders came to move, and they went one mile to the 
right and went into camp in the rear of General Griffin's 
Head Quarters. Here they dug two more wells. 

''July 13, 1864. (Dyer's Notes.) Pitched our tents in 
line and put up harness racks. The Rebs shell pretty near 
us, but as yet none have entered our camp. On fatigue. 
Helped dig a well. The sutler ordered to City Point. July 
14th. Some shelling all along our lines. Towards night 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



8H0 



one of (nil- teams went for baskets to luiild breastworks of. 
July 15th. Reveille at 5^ o'clock. The first I heard was the 
musical sound of a shell whirrinjr through the air. Con- 
tinued throughout the day; also a great deal of mortar fir- 
ing. The teams went to City Point for sanitary goods to- 
day." 

LETTER OF O. M. SERGT. PEACOCK. 

''Camp near Petersburg. Va.. 

July 15, 1864. 
I air writing only 1200 yards from a large rebel, fort of 
16 Guns. A strip of woods conceals us from them. If 
they only knew we were here, it would not be long before 
they opened on us. They fire at the right and left of us, 
but no shells have burst nearer than 300 or 400 vards. The 
Battery is not in position at present, but a work is now 
building for it only 500 yards from the rebel works and ii 
will go into it in a night or so. They can work on it only 
nights, as the rebels keep up a continual fire. As I write 
the bullets of the rebel pickets can be plainly heard going 
whiz ! whiz ! through the air. Not a day passes without 
more or less fighting. The 9th and i8th Corjis are en- 
gaged, mostly. They are on the right of us. We get 
plentv to eat this season; particularly vegetables, thanks to 
the Sanitary Commission. I received some socks excellent 
ones from them this afternoon, with the enclosed mark on 
them. If you know any of the Society give them my 
thanks. The Government socks are so poor they only wear 
me two weeks. (The mark is a small piece of white cot- 
ton cloth about two inches square bearing the half obliter- 
ated stamp of a society in Dorchester, Mass.) They sui)ply 
us with all kinds of pickles, onions, potatoes, dried apples, 
soft crackers, lemons, clothing, cabbage, 'pickled,' some 
tobacco, and manv little things. I assure you we all fee! 



S90 HISTORY OF THE 

very grateful to them for all of their good things, particu- 
larly at this time of the year. 

I think the Commission does more to keep up the courage 
and spirits of the Army than any other one thing. Let no 
one say the Sanitary Commission is not doing a great work 
for us. 

I send some leaves I got while at Charles City Court 
House. 

I suppose there is great excitement about the Raid into 
Maryland. Well, I think our side will come out all right 
finally. They cannot draw Grant's Army from this place: 
he is continually fortifying here. He is bound to stick to 
all he has gained. 

I suppose you have something of a panic about the cur- 
rency; gold taking such a rise. This Army will bring that 
out all safe before the year ends. I feel almost discouraged 
sometimes about the rebels holding out so well, but they 
must kneel sooner or later; there is not a doubt of it. The 
thing has gone so far now that not an inch must be given 
up to them until they are conquered. — Candle going out." 



In July, 1864, the "Memorial" was published which has 
been framed and preser^^ed by many members of the Bat- 
tery. It was compiled from the company records at Rap- 
pahannock Station in the winter of '63 and '64. and has a 
complete list of the members. It was published by J. C. 
Fuller & Co. of Baltimore, Md.. and lithographed by INIajor 
and Knapp 449 Broadway, New York. 

Of the produce of the Sanitarv Commission, Dyer wrote 
July 1 6th. "Had a big dinner consisting in part of roast 
mutton, potatoes, onions, beets, pickles, and condensed milk 
for tea and coffee. Had lemonade to drink as a beverage. 
17th. At night Battery B, 4th U. S., Lieut. Stewart, went 
in position beside the 83d Penn. Regt. Taps at 9 o'clock 
p. m." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 891 

News had come to the camp that an attack was intended, 
so all the troops were put in the front line, but scarcely a 
gun was fired the whole length of the line. On the i8th 
Quarter Master Sergeant Peacock had the entry: "Sent 
Winters' instruments to Washington. (Winters was one 
of the buglers.) July 19th. Sent company Saving Paper 
for March to Washington for payment." 

July 20, 1864, Dyer made the note, "The i8th Mass. 
Regt. started for Washington today." 

In relation to Lieut. Aaron F. Walcott then in command 
of Martin's Third Mass. Battery, Captain Phillips wrote in 
a letter dated "Camp before Petersburg July 20, 1864: — 
I went to see Lieut. Walcott the other day, and found him 
living undergound, the roof of his apartment being level 
with the surface, and being covered with several feet of 
earth. We had a shower of rain yesterday for the first 
time since the 2d of June. It was needed, as the dust had 
become very disagreeable, and the springs were getting dry. 
We are very lucky in our location in one respect i. e. in re- 
gard to our supply of water. Although the long drought 
had exhausted all the springs and brooks, there is no diffi- 
culty in digging a well and finding water anywhere round 
here. We have a well about 20 ft deep, provided with a 
pump, which furnishes excellent water abundantly enough 
for the men and horses. And there are wells all along our 
lines. The Rebel deserters who come in are much aston- 
ished to see us so well supplied, as they have thought we 
had to go to the river for water. . . . We have changed 
our position a little. We are at present camped in an open 
field out of reach of the enemy's shells. 

Nothing very stirring is going on, though a few shots 
may be heard at any hour of the day or night. The lines are 
now quite near each other, but each party is so strongly 
entrenched that there is no danger of an assault on either 
side. From the right of our Division we can see toth lines, 



892 HISTORY OF THE 

from the Jerusalem Plank Road on the left, to the i8th 
Corps on the right. The lines are about 600 yards apart 
and skirmishers in small pits thrown out in front. Along 
the front of the 5th Corps the skirmishers are quite friendly, 
and do not fire at all. I was at the works the other day, 
and saw plenty of Rebel pickets so near that I could have 
recognized them if I had known them. Our front line of 
battle is placed behind a strong parapet and ditch with an 
abatis in front. The Rebels are similarly protected, and 
so we look at each other. Each side is constantly engaged 
in putting in guns, and every morning shows new em- 
brasures. Both sides have a lot of mortars in position 
which keep up a slow fire all the time, necessitating the con- 
struction of bomb proofs all along the line. . . , The Rebels 
desert now very constantly. About 5 a night, on an av- 
erage, come into our lines in front of our Division, and the 
same proportion in the Army would give over 50 a night." 



July 2 1 St the air was cool and bracing after the shower, 
and the men cleaned up the park and stable, and went after 
a load of rails for the cook-house. There was pretty lively 
shelling and mortar firing. 

22d. Dyer wrote "Everything remained quiet until 1 
little before dark, when several volleys of musketry were 
exchanged between the darkies and Rebs. This brought on 
lively shelling, which continued all the evening. 23d. 
Hitched up horses and had a drill today. After we came 
in cleaned harnesses and carriages for inspection tomorrow. 
Sunday 24th. Inspection this morning at 9 o'clock by 
Lieut. Spear. The 2d caisson had considerable trouble in 
getting out of park with their horses, and broke some of 
their harnesses. At 6 p. m. it commenced raining. 25th. 
Considerable shelling occurred towards night, the shell 
striking mostly about 300 yards from our camp. 26tli. 
Corporal Wilson woke us up rather early, it being but 4 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY 



893 



o'clock. Some growling about it but it soon ceased. 
Drill on manual of the piece this forenoon, but as I was on 
fatigue I did not drill. 27th. Drill on the manual of the 
piece at 9 a. m. The Sanitary Commissioner brought us up 
some potatoes, beets, turnips, milk, pickles, and under- 
clothing. 28th. Battery drill at 9 a. m. In the evening 
having nothing to do I took a stroll along the picket line. 
The infantry advanced their line today; the lines of battle 
now being but 500 yards apart." 

THE MINE. 

In his report to Lieut. Morris of August 6, 1864, Cap- 
tain Phillips states that on the 29th of July the Battery "was 
placed in a 4 gun battery in the line of the 3d Brigade ist 
Division, and took part in the bombardment of the 30th, 
making some accurate shooting." 

July 29, 1864. Corporal Shackley has thus recorded: — 
"Worked on magazine till past midnight, and deposited 8 
chests of ammunition in anticipation of the explosion of 
General Burnside's mine." 

Captain Phillips in his Diary of the 29th observes : — 
"All the batteries placed under Colonel Wainwright. Went 
into position about sunset on General Bartlett's front in 
Battery No. 8 — No. 9 Winslow's D, ist N. Y., No. 10. 
Fort Tilton — 18 guns; viz., 6, 4^ in. Rifled, 4, 12 pdr.. and 
8, 3 inch or Parrotts." 

Battery No. 8 was on the front line. 

''July 30. 1864. (Corporal Shackley.) Packed up 
ready to move, then all but the guards went to the front. 
At about 5 a. m. the mine was exploded, and we commenced 
firing all along our lines. The Rebel fort was destroyed, 
and the position was taken and occupied by our troops, but 
about 2 p. m. the Rebels attacked and recaptured the posi- 
tion, and a large number of our Army. The Battery fired 
246 rounds, but sustained no loss by the enemy's fire. 



894 HISTORY OF THE 

Serg't. Stiles (Charles F. Stiles of Charlestown) was in- 
jured by concussion of the gun. July 31, 1864, withdrew 
from the line of battle and returned to camp." 

LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

Aug. I, 1864. 

On Friday I was ordered into position with Griffin's 
Division, and from the signs I judged that the ball might 
open. The batteries took position at dark, and by mid- 
night there were 16 mortars and 60 or 70 guns, 12 of them 
4^ siege, along the front of the 5th Corps. I kept the men 
at work till midnight, building a magazine, and then turned 
in. The orders received before we went to bed, were to be 
at our posts before daylight. 

About daylight the mine in Burnside's front was to ex- 
plode, and this was to- be the signal for us to open, so at 
daylight we were all ready and were waiting. 

All was still and quiet, our men were all waiting, behind 
the parapets, while on the Rebel side a few men were seen 
along the works. 

About 4 o'clock, while I was looking, the mine went up : 
an immense column of dust and smoke, rising slowly and 
majestically into the air! 

The artillery opened at once, and the simultaneousness of 
the discharges, and the contrast with the stillness which 
had prevailed, had a grand effect. 

The Rebel artillery hardly fired a shot, and after an hour 
of steady fire, we slacked up a little. The mine was a com- 
plete success, but the charge would be a ridiculous farce 
were it not for the unpleasant results. 

I do most sincerely hope that somebody will be court 
martialed for the failure, which can only be attributed to 
the utter carelessness and incompetence of somebody in 
charge of the affair. We probably shall not have such a 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. SJI") 

good chance again. We might have taken the place as well 
as not." 

SECRETARY STANTON TO MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

War Department, 
Washington, December 2, 1864. 
Sir: — You are hereby informed that the President of the United 
States has appointed you for gallant services at the battle of Bethesda 
Church and during the present campaign before Richmond Va., a 
Major of volunteers by brevet in the service of the United States, to 
rank as such from the First day of August one' thousand eight hun- 
dred and sixty-four. 

Should the Senate at their next session advise and consent thereto, 
you will be commissioned accordingly. Immediately on receipt here- 
of please to communicate to this Department, through the Adjutant 
General of the Army, your acceptance or non-acceptance, and. with your 
letter of acceptance return the oath herewith enclosed, properly filled 
up, subscribed and attested, and report your age. birthplace, and the 
state of which you were a permanent resident. 

You will report for duty to 

E. M. Stanto.v, 
Secretary of War. 
(152) 
Bvt. Major Charles A. Phiixips, 
U. S. Volunteers 
Thro. Comdg Genl Army Potomac. 



GENERAL CHALFIN TO ^L\JOR PHILLIPS. 

War Departme.vt, 
Adjutant General's Office. 
Washington, June 12. 1865. 

Sir: 

I have the honor to enclose to you herewith your commis- 
sion of Major by Brevet, the receipt of which please acknowledge. 
I am sir 

Very respectfully 

Your obedient servant 

S. F. Chalfin, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
(158) 
Bvt. Major Charles A. Phillips, 

U. S. I'oluntccrs. Capt. 5th Mass. Batt'y. 
5th Corps Wash., D. C. 



806 HISTORY OF THE 

MAJOR C. A. PHILLIPS BY BREVET. 

The Commission. 

Across the upper corner at the left, written in red ink 
these words: — ''Recorded Vokime 4, page 26, Adjutant 
General's Office April 20, 1865. 

E. D. TOWNSEND, 

Ass't Adj't. Gcn'l. 

The American Eagle at the top resting on heavy clouds 
streaked with lightning. Over it 

"The President of the United States of America"" 
and set in the midst of stars the motto "E Pluribus L^num." 
At the left the blue seal of the United States. Under the 
Eagle : — 

"To all who shall see these presents greeting: 
Know ye, That I do hereby confer on Charles A. Phillips of the 
U. S. Volunteers in the service of the United States by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, the rank of Major By Brevet in said 
service, to rank as such from the First day of August, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, for gallant ser- 
vices at the battle of Bethesda Church, and during the present cam- 
paign before Richmond, Virginia. And I do strictly charge and re- 
quire all officers and soldiers under his command, to obey and respect 
him accordingly, and he is to observe and follow such orders and di- 
rections from time to time as he shall receive from me, or the future 
President of the United States of America and other officers set over 
him according to law, and the rules and discipline of war. This 
commission to continue in force, during the pleasure of the President 
of the United States for the time being. 

Given under my hand at the City of Washington this Twentieth day 
of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-five, and in the eighty-ninth year of the Independence of the 
United States. 

By the President, Andrew Johnson. 

E. ^L Stanton, 
Secretary of JJ'ar. 

At the bottom an elaborate drawing in which the colors, 
the implements of the service, arms and munitions of war 
are represented. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



897 



It was rumored on August ist that the enemy was under- 
mining Fort Tilton, and on August 3d that a mine under the 
1 8th Corps was suspected, and the Army was under arms 
before dayhght. 

O. M. Serg't. Peacock on August 3d. "Received of Cap- 
tain PhilHps $20.00 from Company Fund to be used in the 
purchase oi vegetables." [See p. 865 Company Inind. | 

Aug. 6, 1864, by order of Colonel Wain w right the guns 
of the Fifth Mass. Battery were placed in position on the 
second line i a entrenchment in rear of Fort Tilton on the 
left of Colonel Nathan T. Dushane's Maryland Brigade. 

On this day Lieut. Samuel H. Hamblet reported for 
duty. 

Aug. 7, 1864, Lieut. Hamblet joined the Battery and in 
the evening the guns were moved to the right of the Mary- 
land Brigade. 

With reference to the possible undermining of Fort Til- 
ton Major Phillips says in a letter dated Aug. 9, 1864:— 

"The hot weather is causing a great deal of sickness 
among the men. Last Sunday we put our guns in position 
in a second line which has been formed in rear of Fort Til- 
ton to guard against the contingency of the rebels l)lowing 
it up, and I live partly in camp and partly with the guns in 
front. The weather is very hot and I long for a breath of 
fresh air. The Sanitary Commission reaches us here." 

He sent home for a pair of shoulder straps with the fiil- 
lowing directions, and received them all right by mail as he 
ordered them : — 

"Send me a pair of shoulder straps,— Captain of Artil- 
lery. — Let the straps be gold embroidered, not stamped 
sheet brass. Let the embroidery be only one row, so that 
the straps will not be too large and showy, ^as I only want 
them for fatigue uniform. Let the cloth of the straps be 
broadcloth and not red velvet.'' 

August TOth. 1864, Private John S. Doane was appointed 



808 HISTORY OF THE 

acting corporal. A few shots from the Rebs about 10.30 
p. m, 

Aug. 12, 1864, the Battery was inspected by Lieut. G. W. 
Dresser Acting Ass't Inspector General Art'y Brigade. 
Eight men from the Third Mass. Battery joined the Fifth. 
They were J. R. Robinson, Geo. Brown, J. Waterson, T. 
Flanagan, J. Hayes, W. G. Boutwell, G. S. Hunt, I. J. 
Hunt. 

The names are from Peacock's Account Book which has 
also under date of Aug. 12, the following: — 

"Provision return for 11 men from August 12 to 20 in- 
clusive, 9 days, 99 rations. Same time Return from Aug. 
21 to 31 inclusive 11 days, for no men. Rations for 100 
horses." 

Note by Serg't Peacock, Sept. 7, 1900: — "We had dur- 
ing the Grant campaign two extra caissons, that were kept 
at the rear most of the time, and I think rations were drawn 
separate for the men with them, as my book shows rations 
drawn for no men & 11 men." 

August 13th three more men joined the Battery. August 
14, 1864. Faunce (Alvin Faunce of Boston) sent to hos- 
pital. Orders were received to withdraw the guns as soon 
as relieved by a battery of the Ninth Corps, and about day- 
light of the 15th, the Fifth Corps having been relieved by 
the Ninth about daylight, their place was taken at 4 a. m. 
by the nth Mass. Battery, Captain Edward J. Jones. 

All day, and the next day, and the next, they remained 
in readiness to move, and marched on the i8th to the Wel- 
don Railroad. 

On the red field in conflict meet the ranks, 

With mingled shout and groan ; 
And hearts at home are swayed by hope and fear. 

Intent on war alone. 
The eyes of all the world are turned to us, 

To learn the lesson taught, 
And Europe's kings now totter on their thrones, 

Un;i! the battle 's fought : — 

2D. Lieut. Morton D. Mitchkli., 

M.\ss. ■jSth Reg I. Int. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE BATTLE OF THE WELDON RAILROAD. 

August 18-30, 1864. 

"For tho" I fought, and overcame, 
And Quarter gave, 'twas in your Name. 
For great Commanders always own 
What's prosperous by the Soldier done." 

Hudibras, Samuel Butler. 

On the 14th of August, 1864, the Fifth Corps intrench- 
ments were occupied by the Ninth Corps, and General War- 
ren was ordered to make use of the Fifth Corps in the work 
of acquiring- and holding the Weldon Railroad. 

It rained, and the roads and fields were in bad condition, 
the atmosphere was sultry, but Griffin's Division led the 
advance out of these impregnable lines of entrenchments 
which they had fortified with so much labor, in order to 
cover our communications as well as to facilitate our ap- 
proach to the beleaguered city of Petersburg. 

On the morning of August i8th they marched, and met 
the rebel cavalry at Dr. Gurley's house. The ist Division 
having been formed in line by brigades and skirmishers 
deployed, the line advanced, and the rebel pickets were cap- 
tured or fell back, and the Division pushed on to Globe Tav- 
ern, three miles from the Jerusalem Plank Road, which they 
reached at 9 a. m. The Division was disposed to cover the 
position toward the south and west, northward dense woods 
filled the distance from the railroad to the Plank Road. 

X'orth and south, parallel to the railroad runs the road i'~) 
Halifax, and a mile west of that the Vaughan road, which 

899 



900 HISTORY OF THE 

joins the Halifax road about a mile and a half from Globe 
Tavern towards Petersburg. 

From the Gurley house to the railroad there was consid- 
erable open country. 

Griffin's front faced west and began to intrench. The 
2d Division, General Ayres, had reached the same southern 
point on the railroad and then moved up alongside it to- 
wards Petersburg. At the point where the Vaughan and 
Halifax roads joined, they found the rebels in line of battle, 
ready to contest the passage of the roads. 

Crawford's 3d Division of the Fifth Corps came to the 
support of Ayres with the design of outflanking the enemy. 
Ayres formed his line of battle and advanced into the edge 
of the woods about 100 yards, and soon found himself out- 
flanked by a Division of the enemy coming from the direc- 
tion of the Vaughan road. The Union brigades fell back 
100 yards, and formed on a line with the 15th New York 
Heavy Artillery, which had accompanied Ayres. and a part 
of Cutler's 4th Division was sent to reinforce the Second. 
The Confederates were driven back. Rifle pits were then 
constructed on the right and left of the railroad. 

Previous to August i8th our lines of intrenchments were 
built on the east and southeast of Petersburg, but after the 
possession of the Weldon Railroad was secured, new lines 
were built, not of regular siege works like the others, but of 
earthworks to cover our movements against the enemy's 
right flank. These works not being strongholds did not 
consume so much time in building as the old lines, and the 
distance was so much greater that the labor on them was 
much less dangerous. 

But it is not all of war to fight or to build breastworks. 
The integrant portions of the great Army were ever shift- 
ing from trench, to field, to hospital, and back again to 
picket, tent, and trench, and while these stirring scenes of 
busy preparation which embraced the soldier as an essential 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 901 

element, reckoned mostly in the abstract, were being en- 
acted, there had been a steadily increasing proportion of 
men who had never been drilled in the manual of arms, 
never had fired a gun. and who were rather better fitted for 
this sort of thing than for the battle field. 

The men of responsibility, absorbed in their schemes and 
plans, suddenly awakened to the flight of time, and became 
aware that into the common conversation of the well-dis- 
ciplined and thoroughly accomplished army of veterans of 
three years' service, never so w^ell equipped as now, never 
with so much at hand to make the soldier comfortable and 
contented, in this year of 1864 there had crept a new sub- 
ject of much too general interest, that of speedy "expiration 
of term of service." The terms of the "three months' men," 
and the "nine months' men," and terms for special service 
had expired like all other episodes of the War, as of no 
more special purport, it was good and we w'anted more of it. 
but to the officers and men whose military career of three 
years, 1 861 -1864, w^as now drawing to a close the phrase 
had an extraordinary meaning. They had come to the ex- 
piration of a period in the threatened life of the nation 
which formed a novitiate through which no other genera- 
tion of men had ever been or ever could be called upon to 
pass. They had been, as we know who have followed them 
day by day, the right hand of the Government, the main 
stay, the nucleus of this mighty military growth, the men 
at the front who inspired confidence by their example and 
stimulated progress in all directions; but their time had ex- 
pired, and written against every name on the mustering 
out rolls, these words "at expiration of term of service" 
would forever bear a certifying value of their own, subject 
to no one's estimate or opinion. The men who answered 
to these names had survived a long and familiar intimacy 
with the art and the practice of War, and the experience had. 
become a part of their natures and moulded their characters 



902 HISTORY OF THE 

on a new model of a man. They would in time crystallize 
into a new class in society who would inaugurate in Amer- 
ica the wearing of a distinctive military badge, to stand as l 
memorial of individual sacrifice, and as security for the fu- 
ture safety of the nation. 

But there were other members of these retiring organiza- 
tions who had re-enlisted or who were new recruits, and 
provision was made for these among the regiments and bat- 
teries whose terms had not expired. In this way a large 
number of men came to the Fifth Mass. from the Third 
Mass. Battery. 

CIRCULAR. 

War Department, 
Adjutant General's Office. 
Washington, August i8. 1864. 
Circular 
No. 64 
When it becomes necessary, under the orders from this Depart- 
ment, to make transfers of enlisted men from one' regiment or com- 
pany to another, as in the case of consolidation of two or more com- 
panies or regiments, or when the transfer of men may be authorized 
from this ofifice, except to the Veteran Reserve Corps, the following 
papers should be made out, that the ofificers and soldiers may not 
suffer by such transfer. 

Quadruplicate muster and descriptive rolls of the men, with a copy 
of the order transferring them attached to each roll, one copy to be 
forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army; one copy to the Pay- 
master General of the Army; one copy to the Adjutant General of the 
state to which the men belong, — the roll to be divided for this purpose 
if men from more than one state appear on it, — and one copy to be 
sent with the men to the respective regiments to which they are trans- 
ferred. These rolls will contain all the information indicated by the 
blanks for muster and descriptive rolls, including date, place and by 
whom mustered into service. Each copy will be examined, verified 
and countersigned by the Commissary or Assistant Commissary of 
Musters for the command, and will be when completed, evidence of 
muster-in and proper transfer. 

E. D. Townsend, 
Ass't Ajt. General. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 00:5 

In the meantime the right of Crawford's 3d Division 
was moving up through the thick woods, and at 4 p. m. jt 
August 19, 1864, the rear of Crawford's skirmish iine was 
attacked by the enemy and were compeHed to fail back tv)- 
gether with the right of Ayres' Division, but subsequently 
Ayres moved forward, recovered his old line, and repulsed 
a second attack of the enemy. In these movements he was 
assisted by the 187th Pennsylvania Infantry of Griffin's 
Division. A part of the Ninth Corps on the right of the 
Fifth had faced to the right to prevent another attack on his 
flank, and in doing so had driven the enemy back to their 
intrenchments. 

General Warren then in order to preserve his lines, took 
means to post them in places favorable for the artillery, and 
on the 20th awaited an attack, which came the following 
day. His pickets were driven in by Lee's cavalry after a 
fierce struggle, early in the forenoon of August 21st and a 
cross fire was opened through the woods by the rebel artil- 
lery of about 30 pieces over the position occupied by the 
Fifth Corps. Later in the forenoon an assault was made on 
Warren's north and west which was repulsed, and he was 
left in possession of the railroad. In this the Corps artil- 
lery did the most execution in places beyond the range of 
the musketry, breaking the enemy's line. Then Warren 
advanced his skirmish line, the enemy were routed and many 
prisoners and flags were taken. General Nathan T. 
Dushane was killed commanding the 2d Brigade, 2d Divi- 
sion 5th A. C. 

General Warren in his report states in a general way with 
regard to the artillery that "the service of all our batteries 
was most efficient," and that is all the credit there is given 
to the arm of the service wliich rendered the victory pos- 
sible. 



I 



904 HISTORY OF THE 

AS TOLD BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

Corporal Jonas Shackley has recorded the following on 
Thursday, August i8th, 1864, the dav they left the rear of 
Fort Tilton : — "Marched at 6 a. m. by the left flank. 
Reached the Weldon Railroad about 9 a. m. and broke it up 
and cut the telegraph. The Rebs attacked us, but were re- 
pulsed." 

The importance of this day's work is emphasized by Gen- 
eral Grant in his Memoirs where he says : — 

"The Weldon Railroad never went out of our possession from tlie 
i8th of August to the close of the war." 

The 19th was a rainy day. In the afternoon the enemy 
made a desperate attack but were driven back with heavy 
loss. Brig. Gen'l Joseph Hayes was captured. There was 
no engagement on the 20th. 

LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"In Position on the Weldon R. R. 

Sunday Morning, 
Aug. 21, 1864. 
We started for this place on Thursday morning, the 
weather being pleasant. In the forenoon we reached the 
Weldon R. R. and took possession of it. Griffin's Division 
led the Corps and was deployed about a mile from the R. R. 
and then advanced towards it. As we found only about 
50 Rebel cavalry guarding it, no opposition was met with. 
The Rebels must be short of men to let us get this R. R. so 
important to them, with so little opposition. As the other 
Divisions came up they were deployed on the right of the 
I St. In the afternoon the 2d Division were quite heavily 

engaged The night and all Friday were spent in 

shovelling dirt, so that we have now a very formidable line 
of works. Friday afternoon the enemy attacked our right 
and drove it in, but we finally repulsed them. At one time 
it looked a little doubtful. The 39th Mass. was badly cut 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



9o; 



up. The Rebels got in their rear and they jumped over to 
the outside of their breastworks and fought that \va\. 
General Hayes formerly colonel of the i8th Mass. taken 
prisoner." 

Phillips' Diary. "Aug. 21, 1864: A little foggy in the 
forenoon, clearing off in the afternoon. During the fore- 
noon the rebels attacked. A Brigade containing 7th. 21st, 
23d, 25th So. C, 27th No. C. r2th, 22d Miss.— Hayward's 
Br. Hoke's Div. — came out in our front. We shelled them 
and broke them. Most of the men and flags were taken. 
Our loss very slight. Right wheel of the 2d piece smashed 
by a round shot, the felly striking Serg't. Stiles in the head, 
injuring him slightly." 

In a letter dated August 30, 1864, Major Phillips again 
refers to this engagement : — "The rebel troops in front of 
our Battery were Hayward's So. Ca. and Saunders' Miss. 
Brigades. We did not fire at them till they came in siglu 
to the left of Cutler. They were then distant from us about 
600 yards." 

Shackley's Notes: "Aug. 21st, the enemy made another 
desperate effort to drive us back, but were forced to retire, 
leaving their dead in our hands." 

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

BATTERY. 

"Sunday morning, Aug. 21. 1864, the battle opened about eight 
o'clock. The ground in this locality was very marshy. It was \'ir- 
ginia land without any bottom, and it was very difficult to move bat- 
teries. Our whole battery was sunk to the hubs in the road near the 
line of battle. It could neither move forward nor back. Orders were 
given to commanders if obliged to fall back to spike their guns, as it 
would be impossible to move as from every discharge they sank deeper 
in the soil. The Rebels met with the same difficulties, the recent 
heavy rains making it the same for them. Very few of their guns were 
got up near enough to do much damage. 

General Griffin sent out a line of skirmishers to meet the Rebels' 
heavy force of infantry, supposed to be forty thousand. After a few 
shots were exchanged his skirmishers fell back pell-mell, that Ivinc 



906 HISTORY OF THE 

the plan, drawing the enemy into the centre of the circle of General 
Warren's curved line, — a strong earthwork thrown up in the form 
of half a quadrangle extending half a mile south, and across the rail- 
road on his left. — When near enough for execution, the flank bat- 
teries opened first, our infantry hugging the ground closely, the ar- 
tillery shots passing over their heads, the Rebels all the while pressing 
up nearer as our advanced line fell back on their supports. The ruse 
worked well. At a given signal the whole line of artillery opened, 
using up the enemy fearfully. After one hour's brisk cannonade, at a 
given signal, the artillery ceased firing, when Gen. Grif^n charged on 
them with his Division, capturing over two thousand prisoners. It 
was Warren's best planned battle, and a great success, as the Rebels 
never after attempted to retake the road." 

This battle was the last for the Third Mass. Battery, its 
term of service having expired. Its guns and equipments 
were turned into the ordnance department, the horses and 
wagons to the quartermasters department. Its commander. 
Captain Augustus P. Martin was soon after brevetted 
colonel, as an honorary title for his valuable services, and 
for the reason, as General Henry J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery 
of the Army of the Potomac observed, that besides com- 
manding his battery, he had "performed the highest duties 
of field-officer." 



By these operations, of the third and fourth weeks of 
August, our main line was extended from the Jerusalem 
Plank Road at the Cheever house to Globe Tavern. From 
this point we held all the ground along the Weldon Rail- 
road to White House where a fort was built and named for 
Colonel Dushane. 

August 25th the Battery moved about two miles to the 
left in support of the Second Corps, which had a severe 
fight at Ream's Station on the Weldon Railroad. The 
enemy forced our lines, tore up the railroad track and cap- 
tured the guns of the Tenth Mass. Battery and Battery G. 
1st Rhode Island. 

The Fifth Mass. Battery was placed in position on the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 007 

pike leading to Ream's Station in advance of the line of 
battle. 

"August 29th, 1864. (Shackley's Notes.) Cleared up 
our park and dug another well, making eleven wells dug 
by the Battery in front of Petersburg. 

Corporal Tripp promoted to sergeant, James Kay and 
Joseph Clark promoted to corporals." 

The Battery's position on the 30th was outside the in- 
trenchments, two guns on each side of the road. At the 
front and on the right in the edge of the woods skirmishers 
were thrown out. 

Major Phillips in his report to the Adjutant General of 
the state of Massachusetts dated Dec. 16, 1864, thus refers 
to the status of the Third Mass. Battery and its relations to 
the Fifth:— 

"On the 30th of August, the enlisted men of the Third 
Mass. Battery, who were not entitled to be mustered out, 
were permanently transferred to the Fifth Mass. Battery 
by Special Order 210, Head Quarters Fifth Army Corps, 
dated August 27th. This order was afterwards rescinded, 
and it was directed that the two organizations should be 
kept up, by Special Order 236, Head Quarters Fifth Army 
Corps. The two batteries have since been temporarily 
united under my command." 

The report of the Third to the same state official reads : — 

"The Veterans and Recruits transferred to the Fifth Mass. Bat- 
tery, and the battery ordered to the rear with instructions to turn over 
Ihe battery, &c., preparatory to leaving the .Vrmy, and on the evening 
of the 4th September the officers and men whose term of service was 
about to expire, marched to City Point." 

New wharves had been built at City Point and a new rail- 
way in the rear of the lines from City Point to the ^^'eldon 
Railroad at Globe Tavern, and from that point to the 
crossing of the Vaughan road near Wyatt's house, the Wel- 
don Railroad was used as a militarv railway. 



908 HISTORY OF THE 

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASS. BATTERY. 
List of the Members of the Fhird Mass. Battery temporarily con- 
solidated with the Fifth Mass. Battery. 

Aug. 30. 1864, and Previous. 

Allen Elisha 

Aymer Frank 

Ball Volney 

Boutwell Wm. G. 

Bowman Benedict 

Brizee Wm. A. Jr. 

Brock John H. 

Broom George 

Bryson Peter 

Bugbee Wm. L. 

Burleson Charles 

Burns Joseph 

Cahill George H. 

Carling Chas. P. 

Gary Richard 

Conant Sherman W. 

Crockett George F. 

Downey Thomas 

Drake Wm. M. 

Dudley Edwd. M. 

Duff Robert P. 

Edwards William 

Flanagan Thomas 

FoUett Charles A. 

Ford Jacob W. 

Gragg John T. 

Graves Henry B. 

Hanley Henry 

11 art Patrick 

Hayden Wm. A. 

Hayes Joseph 

Hunt Geo. S. 

Hunt Ira J. 

Johnson Alfred J. 

Johnston Leonard F. 

Knowles William 

Leach Jacob H. 

Mahan Fred'k W. 

Mahan Geo. F. 

Martis Wm. A. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 909 

Matthews David A. 
Matthews Roland F. 
McCarthy Eugene 
McCartney John 
Murphy James 
Murphy Thomas 
Murphy Walter 
Nichols Wm. H. 
Potter Geo. Jr. 
Ransom Wallace R. 
Ransom William 
Reed Andrew. 
Remington Lysander F. 
Riley Morris 
Robinson John R. 
Rowe Amos 
Skillin Howard A. 
Spencer Albert L. 
Stetson Charles E. 
Stetson Henry 
Sullivan James 
Thomas Jefferson 
Tufts Henry 
Turner Thomas 
Waterson James 
Waterson William 
Way George TI. 
Welch John H. 
Wheelock Geo. W. 
Whelan John 
Wilson Richard 
Wood Alfred. 



August 31, 1864, notice was received of Lieut. Nathan 
Appleton's discharg-e, Special Order War Department dated 
Aug. 25, 1864, and T.ieut. Hamblet was mustered in to date 
August 25, 1864. 

September i. 1864, our rear was attacked by rebel cavalry. 
"Pickets were driven in, (Shackley's Notes) the Rebs were 
repulsed, and we unhitched." 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE BATTLE OF HATCHER'S RUN. 

October 27, 1864. 

"Here was the camp, the watch-flame, and the host, 

Still does he' mark it with triumphant boast. 
And points to yonder cliffs, which oft were won and lost." 

— Childe Harold. 

As far as new ground was gained by our forces, en- 
trenchments and redoubts of great strength were carried 
on to secure it. The length of this line was about three and 
a half miles on the front from Fort Davis to Fort Wads- 
worth, and a mile and a half along the railroad from Fort 
Wadsworth to Fort Dushane. The reverse works extended 
from Fort Dushane back to the Jerusalem Plank Road, a 
distance of about four miles. The forts included in the 
front line were Forts Hays, Howard, Wadsworth and 
Dushane and several redoubts. The reverse line was made 
up of small forts, the only one of large extent being Fort 
Stevenson. The woods in the vicinity were utilized, and 
furnished all the timber needed for gun platforms and 
drawbridges by means of portable saw mills. Skilled labor 
of all descriptions for building the fortifications, railroads, 
etc., was found in the ranks of the army. 

As fast as the protecting works were completed the mili- 
tary line connecting with the Weldon Railroad at Globe 
Tavern was extended. Parts of the line built for the use of 
batteries of artillery were numbered, beginning at the right 
of the line near the Jcimes River and numbering towards the 
left. 

910 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. «»ii 

September 23, 1864, a circular was pul)lished and read 
to the Army, announcing the success of General Sheridan 
in the Shenandoah Valley. While at the height of the en- 
thusiasm created by this glorious news, the determination 
of General Grant to strike a blow at Richmond from the 
north bank of the James met general approval, and on Sep- 
tember 28th the 1 8th Corps under General E. O. C. Ord. 
and the loth Corps under General D. B. Bimey went off 
"in good spirits," as the phrase was then, across the James; 
the 1 8th by the Varina road nearer the river and the loth 
by the Newmarket and Darby roads. The result was the 
capture of Fort Harrison and its entrenchments and their 
guns. 

On the 29th at 4 a. m. the Army of the Potomac was 
under arms for a move, and preparations were made to 
withdraw from the entrenchments round Petersburg, leav- 
ing garrisons in the forts and batteries. 

The cavalry was sent off to the crossing of Hatcher's 
Run, by the Vaughan road, where there was a rel^el redoubt 
and entrenchments which were a part of the Petersburg line, 
running parallel with the Weldon Railroad. Cavalry was 
also sent to Peebles and Pegram farms on the Squirrel 
Level road, two miles west of our intrenchments im the 
railroad, in order to extend our left and surround Peters- 
burg. 

There was a redoubt called Fort McRae, at the junction 
of the Squirrel Level and Poplar Spring Church roads, com- 
ing from the southwest, which it was Grant's design to cap- 
ture with a part of the Fifth Corps including Griffin's Divi- 
sion, accompanied by Batteries B, D and H, ist N. Y. Light 
Artillery, and at 7 o'clock of September 30, they left the 
intrenchments at Globe Tavern and fought their way west, 
holding the entrenchments captured, through the Peebles 
and Pegram farms, and northwest to the Boydton Plank 
Road, and on the 2d of October the Fifth and Second 



912 HISTORY OF THE 

Corps had established a new Hne of entrenchments, connect 
ing with the Weldon Railroad works, made up of redoubts 
and batteries. On the 27th of October General Meade was 
directed by General Grant to take possession of the South- 
side Railroad, and to hold and fortify it. 

The rebels had intrenchments not very complete at a 
point two miles above the crossing of Hatcher's Run by the 
Vaughan road, and about a mile above Armstrong's Mills, 
They did not cross the run or extend any farther up than 
the crossing. 

The Confederate Petersburg lines reached from the Ap 
pomattox River to a battery west of the Jerusalem Plank 
Road. Our movement was to the left, the Second Corps 
moving by the Vaughan road, crossing Hatcher's Run and 
proceeding by the Boydton Plank and White Oak Roads tc 
the Southside Railroad; striking it at a point about three 
miles east of Sutherland Station. The Ninth Corps was tr 
attack the intrenchments at Hatcher's Run, and the Fifth 
to move to Armstrong's Mills and support the Ninth ai 
Hatcher's Run. 

The Confederate lines stretched from Hatcher's Run tc 
the Boydton Road a distance of about a mile, covering the 
road. 

The Fifth Corps started at 4 a. m. of Oct. 27, 1864. It 
was composed of the ist and 2d and two Brigades of the 3d 
Division, under General S. W. Crawford. The ammuni 
tion and reserve supplies remained in camp guarded by the 
2d Brigade of Crawford's Division under General Henry 
Baxter, and 8 batteries of 34 guns. Three batteries of light 
12 pdrs. 14 guns, and two batteries of 3 inch rifled, 10 guns, 
accompanied the expedition. 

Griffin's ist Division was 4707 strong; of these more than 
one-third were ignorant of the manual, and more than half 
the number had never fired a musket. In Ayres' 2d Divi- 
sion 4704 strong, there were 104 men who had not been 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 913 

drilled in the manual and 812 who had never fired a musket. 
In Crawford's 3d Division there were 298 raw recruits. 

They moved southwesterly and westerly, meeting the 
rebel skirmishers at 9 a. m. and driving them into a line of 
breastworks. 

Orders hurried Warren in command to cross Hatcher's 
Run and communicate with Hancock forthwith, and both 
Grant and Meade appeared in person at Warren's Head 
Quarters. Griffin's skirmish line then extended to Hatch- 
er's Run on the left. Hancock's Corps had moved towards 
the Boydton Plank Road past Armstrong's Mills. Warren 
ordered Crawford with one Brigade of Ayres to cross the 
Run, place his right flank on the Run, and then move up 
and attack the enemy's right in flank. 

Generals Grant and Meade informed Hancock in person 
of this mo\ement of Crawford, and Hancock's Second Corps 
was ordered to extend its line to the right to connect with 
Crawford, and hold his position till the next morning, 
which he did after a skirmish with the enemy who tried to 
get possession of the Plank Road. 

The woods were dense and the stream was crooked and 
these caused delay. 

Warren arrived at 11.45 ^- ^- ^"^ rested his right on the 
Run in line of battle, and Grififin opened on the Confed- 
erates at I p. m. of the 27th, and about 4 p. m. Crawford, 
having come up, and formed his line on the right flank of 
the Confederate position fronting Griffin, began skirmish- 
ing with the enemy, but his line of march had carried him 
into quite a different position from what was expected, and 
he was in a dense forest where his men were getting lost, 
even the enemy it is said were bewildered, and his command 
was difficult to reach. 

There was a consultation between Generals Meade and 
Warren at Armstrong's Mills, as to what should be done 



914 HISTORY OF THE 

with Crawford, and he was ordered to withdraw at day- 
break of the 28th to the north side of Hatcher's Run. 

Hancock with ammunition exhausted, and seeing no ad- 
vantage in holding his position, commenced to fah back at 
10 p. m. of the 27th. At 10 a. m. of the 28th the road was 
clear of wagons, wounded and prisoners, and at 11 a. m. 
the Fifth and Ninth Corps had withdrawn and returned 
to their former positions. 

The object of this movement is variously stated. Some 
historians believe they have authority for saying that the 
demonstration was made on the left by our Army to hold 
the enemy's attention so that he would not trouble Butler 
who was coming up towards Richmond from the James 
River, while others say that the plan was a concerted move- 
ment to attack Lee in order to prevent his sending rein- 
forcements to oppose Butler who was to operate on that 
side, and prevent reinforcements being sent to Lee. That 
Grant was very desirous of getting possession of the rail- 
roads is made plain in his Memoirs, when he says of the 
railroad south by w^ay of Danville, he was afraid the enemy 
was "running off his men and stores and ordnance" by it. 

The result of the movement was that we advanced our 
line to Poplar Spring Church. 

On October 31st the regular infantry serving in the Fifth 
Corps were again ordered to the city of New York to report 
to Major General John A. Dix. and the remainder of the 
Corps took their places once more in the fortifications before 
Petersburg near Fort Sedgwick. 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

September 2, 1864, the square work of four bastions on 
the right was garrisoned by the Ninth Mass. Battery. The 
next day General Grant, General Lew Wallace and U. S. 
Secretary Fessenden paid a visit to camp. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 915 

DISPOSAL OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Major C. A. Phillips to Lieut. Ford. Morris. 

September 8, 1864. 
Lieut. Ford. Morris A. A. A. G. Art'y Brigade 5tli A. C. 
Lieutenant. 
I have the honor to forward the following statement for 
the action of the proper authorities. 

On the 30th of August, by order from Corps Hd. Qrs. 
the enlisted men, recruits and veterans of Battery C, Mass. 
Art'y were transferred to Battery E, Mass. Art'y, the first 
named battery being ordered to be mustered out. 

Among the men so transferred were the following non- 
commissioned officers. As there are now the full numl^r 
of non-commissioned officers in Battery E, I respectfully 
request that these serg'ts. and corp'ls may l)e discharged, as 
they cannot be 'mustered f(M- i)ay : — 

Serg't. Lysander F. Remington Present. 
Wallace R. Ransom 
" Thomas Turner 
Corp. Charles A. Follett 
Brooks B. Martis 
" Daniel Norcross absent wounded. 
" William H. Nichols. 
I am very Resp'y 

Your Obd. Serv't 
Charles A. Phillips, 

Captain Battery E, 

Mass. Art'y. 

FROM BRTG. GEN. HENRY J. HUNT. 

Art'y Hd. Qrs. A. of P. 

Sept. 20. 1864. 

Resi)ectfullv returned to Hd. Qrs. A. of P. 
By a return made to these Hd. Qrs. August ist. it appears that 



916 HISTORY OF THE 

there would be in batteries C & E Mass. Art'y on Sept. 5, and Dec. 3, 
the dates of muster out. 

Battery C, 63 enlisted men. 

" E. 71 " 
Instead of transferring the men from one battery to the other I 
think the batteries should be united temporarily to serve one battery 
of guns, thus preserving their organization until recruits could be 
obtained to fill them. This would save their organization and keep 
the non-commissioned officers in service. 

Henry J. Hunt, 
Brig. Gen'l, 
Ch. of Art'y. 

The opinion of General Meade, September 21, 1864, was 

as follows : — 

"The order of the 30th ult. would seem to conflict with the instruc- 
tions from the War Dept. of the i6th ult. relating to consolidations 
a copy of which was furnished. 

The same rule will apply to a battery as to a reg't. and the 63 
men of Battery C can be kept as a separate organization with the 
requisite number of officers and non-commissioned officers and the 
.'■upernumerary mustered out." 

His letter was returned to Captain Phillips by Colcfnel 
Wainwright, after having been referred to Captain W. T. 
Gentry commissary of musters of the Corps, the last date 
being Sept. 22, 1864. 



Rumors that the enemy were moving around to the left 
caused some uneasiness, and on Sept. 15th hitched up at 4 
a. m., unhitched at 8. Hitched up again at 2, and unhitched 
at dark. i6th. Hitched up in the morning and remained 
hitched up all day. On the 17th orders to sweep the whole 
camp. As soon as this was done, hitched up and packed up, 
and took the Battery out of line. Relieved by Stewart's 
Battery B, Fourth Regulars and marched to Yellow Tav- 
ern. Went into camp near ^^''arren's Station in the vicinity 
of Corps Head Quarters, being held to support any part of 
the line. On this dav Lt. Simonds was mustered in as ist 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 917 

Lieutenant and Mason W. Page was mustered in as 2d 
Lieutenant. 

"Sunday Sept. 18, 1864. (Dyer's Notes.) Orders to 
clean up for inspection at 9 o'clock. \Yt were inspected 
by Lieut. Spear. Weather warm and sultry. Divine ser- 
vices in the p. m." 

LETTER OF 0. M. SERG'T. PEACOCK. 
"Camp near Six Mile Station, Va. 

Sept. 18, 1864. 

We are in camp at the Yellow Tavern or Six Mile 
House, that I suppose you have read of, where the big 
battle took place when we first came up here. The \Veldon 
R. R. track runs directly in front of the house only some 
twenty feet distant. Our line of battle is about fiftv yards in 
front. General Warren of the 5th Corps has his Hd. Qrs. 
here. The house is of brick painted yellow. The past week 
we have been on a constant jump night and day, hitching 
up and remaining in suspense for a few hours, then the 
alarm will quiet down, and we unharness again for a short 
time. 

The pickets get to firing in front of us, and they are so 
near at some points it is impossible to tell at what minute 
we shall see the rebels charging our works. 

It takes our Battery not over ten minutes to hitch up, 
pack everything and be on the move. Early in the war it 
took us a half-hour. 

Captain Phillips is doing a lot of correspondence with 
the War Department to get us mustered out Oct. ist. — ex- 
piration of three years term of service, — as there was a 
mistake or neglect in our muster in on that date." 

Sept. 19th. Corp. Jonas Shackley was discharged by 
Special Order No. 304 War Department, to receive a com- 
mission as 2d Lieutenant in the 24th Unattached Co. ol 



918 HISTORY OF THE 

Mass. Heavy Artillery, ist Serg't. E. J. Gibbs was also 
discharged for a commission as 2d Lieutenant in the 26th 
Unattached Co. Mass. Heavy Artillery. 

On this day the men levelled off the park and dug two 
wells which employed them most of the day. In the evening 
Dver went over to the 20th Maine Regt. and had a very 
pleasant time. 

Sept. 20th the Battery was inspected at 2 o'clock bv 
Lieut. G. W. Dresser A. A. L G. Everything was minutely 
examined. John E. Dyer was personally complimented by 
him for being neat and clean. September 21st the Battery 
m_oved to the rear and occupied Fort Davison. 

FROM A LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"Near Petersburg, Va., Sept. 22, 1864. 

We have been very quiet since the first few days after 
we took the Weldon R. R. Last Saturday we moved out of 
our position outside of the line of battle on the road leading 
to Ream's Station, and went back into reserve near the 
'Yellow House' where General Warren's Hd. Ors. are. We 
immediately went to work fixing up our camp and though 
the ,Tround was very dirty we made a pretty good camp. 
Our ofificers' tents were pitched under an arbor built by Col. 
Hoffman for his Hd. Qrs., and were very pleasant. 

We fixed a pole and pins for a game quite common here 
which is played in this way : — Two poles are set up with a 
cross piece about 20 feet from the ground, and a 12 pdr. 
round shot or shell is hung from this cross piece by a rope 
so that it swings within three inches from the ground. 
Th-en we set up ten pins under it as they do in a bowling 
alley and swing the ball at them. The object is to hit the 
pins when the ball is swinging towards you. If you hit the 
pins when the ball is swinging from you, you lose 5. Each 
player swings the ball three times to make one roll and to 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. !.!:• 

count just as they do in a bowling alley. It is quite a good 
game. General Warren rode by while we were playing it 
and seemed interested in it. 

... A brigade of colored troops is camped outside the 
redoubt, but we keep a guard at the entrance and have the 
whole inside to ourselves. One of the curiosities out here is 
the extension of the City Point R. R. luiilt without survey 
and grades, up and down hill and across the fields anywhere. 
It crosses the Weldon R. R. and runs fairly into the en- 
trenched line of battle, the rails being within a foot of the 
face of the rifle pits." 

Again on the 24th : — 

"Fort Davison near Petersburg, 

Sept. 24, 1864. 

This redoubt forms one of a series built to protect our 
left flank and rear, and which form a very strong line. 
Our left flank describes a complete semi-(?ircle and finally 
runs parallel to the main line. . . . The southerly work 
on the Weldon R. R. is Fort Dushane. The northerlv work 
on the west of the Jerusalem Plank Road, a large square. 
reddubt formerly called Fort \\^irren, is now named Fort 
Davis after Colonel Davis 39th Mass. Vols., who was killed 
close by. . . . Between the two bastioned works on the 
Weldon R. R. there are two redans mounting 4 guns each, 
and a 4 gun l)attery between Fort Dushane and Fort Davi- 
son. All the works are connected by lines of rifle pits, 
varying in strength, and with single or double abattis in 
front all the length. In front of Fort Davis there is first 
a row of chcvcaux de frise formed of pointed stakes set in 
the ground at an angle of about 30° and fastened with iron 
wire to a riband about two feet from the ground. Outside 
of this is a row of abattis the whole forming rather a for- 
midable obstacle. 

One great innovation in this war is the introduction of 



920 HISTORY OF THE 

iron wire into obstacles. Abattis is always fastened with 
iron wire so as infallibly to trip up any one who tries to go 
through it. It is also extensively used in front of abattis 
fastened to stakes, forming a very effective obstacle to a 
charge. 

I think we need have no fear of the Rebels attempting to 
repossess the Weldon R. R. and bringing on the great battle 
which the newspapers have been prophesying. They failed 
to drive us off the R. R. in the first few days after we got 
here, and thev are too wise to attempt it now. Of course 
they may attempt it when their only alternative is utter 
annihilation, but it will amount to nothing. Their men and 
ours have charged rifle pits too much to run their heads 
against regular fortifications. The news from the Shenan- 
doah coming on top of Mobile and Atlanta, brings the alter- 
native of annihilation home to them, but I am inclined to 
think Early is toO' much used up to help Lee smash our left 
as Jackson helped him to smash our right in 1862. But, in 
1862, we did not know how to dig. Not a shovelful of dirt 
was thrown on the left of the Chickahominy that was of any 
use in repelling Jackson's attack." 

MARTIN'S BATTERY GOES HOME. 

Sept. 24, 1864, the men of the Third Mass. Battery whose 
time had expired bivouacked in the rear of the 22d Mass. 
Regt. Infantry. Captain A. P. Martin and officers at Regi- 
mental Head Quarters. At 8 a. m. of September 25th, 1864, 
they were escorted to the boat by the 22d Regiment; "send- 
ing them off" says their historian "with ringing cheers." 

Sept. 26, 1864. Orders were received to make requisition 
for two more guns; rifled batteries having 130 men present 
beinf>- made six gun batteries. Harnesses came on the 27th 
but no omns. On the 28th orders were received during the 
evening to send horses, caissons and wagons to the am- 
munition train in case the main body of the Corps moved. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 921 

keeping strong detachments in the fort, which was then 
garrisoned by the 94th N. Y., and the Fifth Mass. Battery. 
In the afternoon of the 29th cannonading was heard in the 
direction of Ream's Station. 

Oct. 1st the Fifth Corps began to move to the left. Sent 
caissons, wagons, and all the horses to the Ammunition 
Train. 

OUARTER]\IASTER'S STATISTICS. 

Quartermaster Serg't. Peacock's Account Book contains 
some interesting statistics relative to the horses connected 
with the Battery. Their color was Bay, Black. Sorrel. Cray. 
Roan and Buckskin. They were separated from the Bat- 
tery by the following causes : — Killed, abandoned. — worn 
out, — died from exhaustion, died in a fit. straved awav, 
broke leg and was killed, died from sunstroke, from dis- 
ease, killed in action, wounded and killed. May j8th. 1864, 
at Hanover Town, one horse died of swelled head. 

Besides clothing, shelter tents, blankets, sacks, — used on 
the works of the Division Artillery, gunners' implements 
etc. such property as the following was received for use of 
the Battery and accounted for: — Ridge Pole, Tarpaulin. 
Sides Harness Leather, Papers of Saddlers' Needles, Bridle. 
Spirits of Turpentine, Linseed Oil, Horse Nails, Wagon 
Tail Board, Lanyards, Castile Soap, Requisition for Sta- 
tionerv ; Letter Paper. Foolscap, Envelopes, pins, wafers, 
Sealin- Wax, Red Office Tape, Bottle of Ink, Stamps. Lead 
Pencils. Mucilage, Blotting Paper, Eraser. 

LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS OCT. 2, 1864. 

''During the present demonstration towards the South- 
side R. R. we still garrison Fort Davison, while most of 
the Corps are fighting. We have rested in undisturl^ed 
quiet for the last few days, hearing of the fighting only an 



922 HISTORY OF THE 

occasional shot. The 94th N. Y., with us, form the garri- 
son of Fort Davison, and consider ourselves able to hold -t 
an indefinite period. 

Yesterday was very rainy and chilly, and we found tents 
rather uncomfortable, so after mature deliberation we con- 
cluded to effect a strategic change of base. 

A series of preliminary reconnoissances in force, finally 
resulted in a flank movement on an upper chamber in the 
Gurley house, which stands about 50 feet from the entrance 
to the fort. This house was formerly occupied by a Mr. 
Gurley, said to be a rebel senator, who, alarmed by the ap- 
proach of winter and the Yankees, concluded to remove, 
and abandon his household gods to the ruthless invader. 
The rest of the house is occupied by the officers of the 94th 
N. Y. Though somewhat dilapidated, the house is in pretty 
good order, and the apartment we occupy is quite luxurious, 
in size about 16 feet square: 4 windows on the North and 
South sides, fireplace East, door and closet West side. A 
sea green wainscoting runs around the room, and the walls 
have no paper. The h()use was probably built by Northern 
mechanics, and the walls are frescoed with pictures and in- 
scriptions of the charcoal style which were evidently exe- 
cuted by northern hands. We have only three broken pan^s 
uf glass in our windows, and the window by my bed has two 
blinds in good preservation. Some vandal pulled off one 
side of the door casing, and some lover of symmetry per- 
formed the same thing to the closet door frame, to make 't 
match. Our closet door has seceded, and the other door 
handle is gone, but fortunately we have no great fear of 
entry thieves. We have an excellent floor of hard pine, and 
we availed ourselves of it by celebrating our installation 
last night with a clog dance interspersed with songs. 

I see the N. Y. Herald credits us with the explosion 
of a caisson on drill. We don't do such things." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 903 

MUSTERED OUT. 

October 3, 1864, Lieut. J. E. Spear and 29 men were 
mustered out. their term of service of three years havins: 
expired, and left for City Point. Among them were John 
E. Dyer, Wilham H. Baxter, WilHam H. Peacock. Francis 
P. \Vash]3urn and Louis E. Pattison. whose notes have 
added so much to the interest of these cohimns. 



October 4. 1864. a tlai;- staff was erected on Fort Davison 
and tlie colors were run up amid cheers for the flag, for 
Lieut. Gen'l Grant and Brig. Gen'l Henry Baxter. On the 
8th orders were received at 5 a. m to hitch up and be ready 
for movement or action at 6. Remained hitched u]i all day, 
but heard nothing more of it. Four recruits came in. On 
the 9th there was Battery inspection in the morning. 

October 10, 1864, marched earlv in the day to the front 
line of battery works between Fort Hays and Fort Howard. 
The Right section was placed in Battery No. 24, and the 
Left section occupied Battery No. 2=,. The distance between 
them was 700 yards. Of the work during the week I\Lajor 
Phillips savs in his Diary : — 

"During the week rebuilt barbettes and ramps in Battery 
25, and built a stockade with the caissons covered by a w^all 
tent and flv for myself and Lieut. Page. Sent to City Point 
in the afternoon for two guns." 

By Major Phillips' Liventory of Guns on Oct. 15. 1S64. it 
may be seen that since Sept. ^o. 1862. he had had eleven 
guns, all of three inch calibre. 

Of the first six from the Washington Arsenal, one. re- 
ceived on Sept. 30. 1862. and the remainder Oct. i. 1862, 
two were turned in at Acquia Creek. May 25. 1863. On 
Tune 6th, 1863, he received two guns from the Fourth R. L 
Battery, and one of these was exchanged with Captain R. H. 
Fitzhugh July 3. 1863. 



924 HISTORY OF THE 

Major Phillips' Diary resumed: — 

"Oct. i6, 1864. Pleasant. Battery inspection. Rec'd 
two guns from City Point Nos. 177 and 308. Drew 12 
horses. A regiment moved in on the right of Battery 25." 

October 17th the new section was placed in Battery 25 
with the Left section, and the two sections were commanded 
by Lieutenants Hamblet and Page. The Right section in 
Battery 24, was under command of Lieut. Simonds. Octo- 
ber 20th two recruits came in and the next day six more. 
On this day inspection by Lieut. Dresser. 

On the 22d the men finished a new cook house, and on 
the 25th the Battery was relieved by a section of Battery 
G, 4th U. S. and a section of Hart's 15th New York. The 
Regulars went into Battery 24, and Hart's into Battery 25. 

Marching orders were received, and on the 26th the 
Battery Wagon, Forge, and Baggage Wagon were sent 
back to the Ammunition Train, en route to City Point by 
night. 

Thursday, Oct. 27, 1864, marched to Hatcher's Run. 
Started at 3 a. m. At daylight the Fifth Corps with Grif- 
fin's I St Division leading, accompanied by Stewart's Bat- 
tery B, 4th U. S. and the Fifth Mass. Battery marched 
through the works at our left. 

Following were the 2d Division with Mink's Battery H, 
I St N. Y. and Battery B, ist N. Y. under Capt. Robert E. 
Rogers, and then the 3d Division with the Ninth ]\Iass. 
Battery. 

Thev advanced three miles. The most of the fighting was 
by the Second Corps who were on our left. It rained all 
the afternoon and all night, and at 8 a. m. of October 28th 
the Battery marched back as far as the Yellow Tavern. 

Oct. 30, 1864, Lieut. Hamblet received his commission 
as 1st Lieutenant and Serg't. Tripp as 2d Lieutenant. On 
the 31st Lieut. Hamblet was mustered as ist Lieutenant, 
and Nov. ist after Lieut. Tripp was mustered in there was 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 905 

a supper in the evening, oysters and roast turkey. On this 
date Major PhilHps wrote the following letter: — 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

Nov. I, 1864. 

At the beginning of last week we were lying quietly in 
position in Batteries "24" and "25." and, the cold weather 
being very suggestive, we had built unto ourselves a pretty 
good log house which we enjoyed much. On Wednesday 
pre])arations for some movement were visible all along the 
line. \Vg were relieved by other batteries, new regiments 
posted, and other arrangements made. 

Thursday morning we broke camp about i a. m. having 
been ordered to march with Griffin's Division at 4 a. ni. 
After marching over three miles to the left, we found the 
Division just moving out, and fell in with them. Marched 
out through the breastworks and kept on in a general s. w. 
direction. About noon we halted the head of our column, 
liaving driven the enemy's skirmishers almost into their 
works. The batteries parked in a field and remained there. 
It began to rain and became rather wet, but it was not cold, 
and having pitched a tarpaulin and built a fire we got along 
very comfortably. One shell struck 15 yards from a tree 
we were under, but except this we were not under fire. 
After waiting in camp all the afternoon we went into camp 
for the night. The next foreno(^n we turned round and 
marched quietly back again and camped near the Yellow 
House. . . . Whether our expedition was a success or a 
failure depends on our intention in going out. If we went 
out to take the Southside R. R. we failed. If we went on a 
reconnoissance we succeeded. 

The Army is not very cheerful over it. We have lost 
our good chimneys, log houses, &c. and accomplished noth- 
ing, and that is enough to make soldiers growl." 

Another reference from IMajor Phillips' pen has been 
found in a letter dated Battery No. 25. Nov. IQ. 1864:— 



926 HISTORY OF THE 

"This was a singular movement and may be understood 
at the North but certainly is not here. 

If it was intended as a reconnoissance, most unusual 
preparations were made for it. All the wagon trains of the 
Army were sent to City Point, and the line in front of 
Peterslourg held in very small force. \A'e marched out a 
few miles but did not attack the enemy's works. Two 
brigades of the 5th Corps engaeed the enemy's skirmish 
line, but did not make any attack. Not a battery in the 
Corps was engaged, and after remaining one night in the 
rain we returned to camp." 

GEN. SCHOULER IN CAMP. 

The Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts went to \\'ashington in October. 1864, in order to 
ascertain the actual condition of the volunteers from this 
state and to examine the defenses of the national capital. 
That city had been again endangered bv the demonstration 
of the confederate general Early in July, to overcome which 
the Sixth Corps had been withdrawn from before Peters- 
burg. The letter from which the following extracts are 
taken is dated Nov. 14. 1864: — 

GEN. SCHOULER'S LETTER FROM THE FIELD TO 
GOVERNOR ANDREW. 

"Oct. 22, 1864, we ."Started in a carriage from Washington at noon 
to visit our troops stationed in the forts on the Virginia side of tlie 

Potomac We passed over Chain Bridge and entered 

Virginia. A line of fortifications for the defence of Washington ex- 
tends on the Virginia side from Chain Bridge to the Long Bridge 
at Washington which are connected with breastworks and rifle pits 
the entire distance. A short way from Chain Bridge is Fort Ethan 
Allen, where we stopped. This fort is very large, and is garrisoned 
by five companies of Massachusetts unattached heavy artillery. 
Here we stayed nearly an hour and then passed on to Forts 
Whipple, Cass, Tillinghast. Smith and Albany, each of which is 
garrisoned by an unattaclied heavy artillery company. We arrived 
at Washington about dark. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 907 

The country was high and rolling, intersected at short intervals 
with ravines. Two years ago it was thickly wooded, now good 
carriage roads intersect it. The woods have been felled and used 
for making abattis, corduroy roads, and to light up camp fires. 

Oct. 24, 1864, visited the forts on the Maryland side of the 
Potomac, garrisoned by Mass. heavy artillery companies. The 
route was over Capitol Hill, then near the Navy Yard and across 
the 'East Branch' a stream which runs up to Bladensburg. Two 
miles from tlie Bridge T came to Fort Baker, which was under 
command of Lieut. Dame. Next passed on to Fort Greble. Forts 
Snyder and Carroll. Fort Davis next; then Dupont, Mahan and 
Meigs. Six miles from there was Fort Lincoln crossing East Branch. 
It is within a mile of Bladensburg and near General Hooker's old 
camp. The next are Forts Thayer and Saratoga. We drove over 
the Bladensburg turnpike to Washington, and arrived there at dark. 
There is an extension of these works on the Maryland side reaching 
as far as the Chain Bridge. 

I found the defences of Washington almost entirely garrisoned 
by our men, and their good conduct and soldierly bearing are uni- 
versally acknowledged. 

Oct. 25, 1864. At 3 o'clock I left Washington on the mail steamer 
"nxpress' for Citv Point. General Grant's Head Quarters. The sail 
down the Potomac was very pleasant. At early morning stopped to 
deliver the mail and a few passengers at Point Lookout, a large 
depot for rebel prisoners, commanded at present by Brig. Gen. 
Barnes formerly colonel of the Mass. 18th Regt. Arrived at 
Fortress Monroe at 8 o'clock on the morning of Oct. 26, 1864. 

In Hampton Roads lay the largest fleet of war vessels and 
transport ships ever concentrated in any harbor in America. It was 
a beautiful sight and gave one an enlarged idea of the magnitude of 
the war, of the enterprise of our people, and of the resources of the 
nation. 

The boat remained at Fortress Monroe two hours, and then pro- 
ceeded on past Newport News to the mouth of the James, and fol- 
lowing that river for about 70 miles, arrived at s P- m. at City 
Point, base of supplies for the Army of the Potomac. The trip was 
made including stops in twenty-six hours. A steamer leaves Wash- 
ington every afternoon for City Point, stopping at Alexandria, Point 
Lookout, and Fortress Monroe. 

The banks of the James are densely wooded, no villages to be seen 
from the steamer. As the steamer glides up the stream it passes 
Foster's Landing, White House Landing, Harrison's Landing. Light 
House Point, Fort Powhattan. &c. &c. The river is well guarded with 
gunboats. At City Point the river is crowded with vessels of all 
descriptions. The wharves extend for at least half a mile. 



928 HISTORY OF THE 

Numerous supplies for the \rmy are here stored. On ascending 
the bank which is 75 feet high, the first place to visit is the Provost 
Marshal's office, where the passes are examined. General (M. R.) 
Patrick is stationed here as Provost Marshal General of the Army of 
the Potomac. 

The first information I received on landing (Oct. 26th) was that 
an advance had been ordered and the Army had moved that morn- 
ing. 

At nine o'clock in the morning (Oct. 27th) I walked over to 
General Grant's headquarters. The General and staff live in tents. 
I missed seeing him as he had left at seven o'clock for the front. Ob- 
tained a pass to Bermuda Hundred 3 miles distant. In an open space 
near by are 100 soldiers' graves. 

The front was distant about five miles from Bermuda Hundred. I 
have learned that the advance of the armies was a concerted move 
ment to obtain possession of the Danville R. R. Lee's army was to 
be attacked by the Army of the Potomac and the railroad taken if 
possible, while the Army of the James was to operate on that side 
and prevent reinforcements being sent to Lee and to take advantage 
of circumstances. 

The celebrated Dutch Gap where Gen. Butler is making a canal, 
is about a mile and a half from Head Quarters. The Rebels were 
shelling the Gap, — fell short, — many hundred men working day and 
night; lines picketed by colored soldiers. 

At 10 o'clock at night (Oct. 27th) a tremendous cannonading 
heard in the direction of Petersburg, which lasted for two hours. 

Oct. 28, 1864. Started with Gen. Devens and others for the front. 
Rode about six miles, through woods, over old cornfields, by lines 
of breastworks, through camp, and along the Favina and Darbytown 
turnpike often mentioned in despatches, until we reached Dr. John- 
son's farm, where we found General Butler and General Terry who 
commands the Tenth Army Corps. Before we arrived it had been 
decided to withdraw our forces and to return within our lines. This 
was not done though until near noon. Our skirmish line was about 
half a mile in advance. 

On going back to headquarters the entire stafT rode with the 
General. We went back by a more circuitous route, visited Fort 
Harrison and the immense line of works of which it forms an im- 
portant part. We passed long lines of wagons and ambulances. 
Arrived at headquarters at two o'clock, having ridden about 20 
miles. / had been within four miles of Richmond. 

Arrived back at City Point Oct. 29, 1864, at about two o'clock. 
At 3 o'clock left City Point in the cars for the front. The railroad 
runs the entire length of our lines, and the camps of the different 
corps are on each side of it. Twelve miles from City Point is Gen. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 929 

Meade's station. His Head Quarters are nearly a mile from there. 
I found the ambulance in waiting for me. We drove to General 
Meade's Quarters. The shades of evening began to fall when I left 
in an ambulance for the Ninth Corps. We crossed the famous 
Weldon R. R. near General Warren's Head Quarters. 

Oct. 31, 1864. I also visited Captain Jones and the Eleventh 
Battery. This company has charge of three small forts in the line 
of works near General Ferrero's Head Quarters. To General 
Meade's Head Quarters our route lay for miles through the camps 
of the Second and Fifth Army Corps — Hancock's and Warren's. 

More men are wanted, our lines are so greatly extended; neces- 
sarily so. Passed on to the 'Yellow House,' which is the Head 
Quarters of General Warren, commanding the Fifth Corps. This 
is on the old Weldon R. R. and was a tavern and depot station six: 
miles from Petersburg. 

Arrived back at City Point at 7 o'clock, Nov. 2d. .Arrived at 
Washington Nov. 3, 1864." 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG. 

April 2, 1865. 

"The wall is rent, the ruuis yawn, 
And, with tomorrow's earliest dawn, 
O er the disjointed mass shall vault 
The foremost of the fierce assault." 

— The Siege of Corinth. 

When the Sixth Corps returned from its tour of duty 
for the preservation of the national capital and assisting 
Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, it was to take the place 
in the lines before Richmond of the Fifth Corps which had 
been ordered out for the purpose of destroying railroads. 
The Fifth Corps massed near the Gurley house, and on 
December 7, 1864, three Divisions of the Fifth Corps, and 
one Division of the Second Corps, with four batteries of 
artillery and a Division of cavalry, started for Hicksford on 
the Meherrin River, 40 miles south of Petersburg. 

Hicksford was the point of supply for the rebels at Peters- 
burg. ' Their trains came up the Meherrin River to the 
Boydton Plank road, and thence through Dinwiddie Court 
House to Petersburg. The cavalry took the road east of 
the Jerusalem Plank Road and joined it again a short dis- 
tance below Warwick swamp. The infantry, with Craw- 
ford leading, moved on the Jerusalem Plank Road. 

When they reached the crossing of the Warwick swamp 
by the Plank Road, the bridge was gone, and a delay was 
caused by the building of a bridge strong enough to allow 
the passage of the trains. All through the day it rained. 

930 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 931 

Griffin's 1st Division remained on the north bank of the 
Nottaway River until two hours after midnight, still rain- 
ing heavily, when they crossed and went into camp on the 
southern bank. 

By night of the 8th the cavalry had partially destroyed 
the railroad down to Jarratt's Station, and by moonlight 
the Fifth Corps infantry completed its destruction to that 
point, and early on the morning of the 9th formed line of 
battle on the railroad. Each Division, as it advanced, de- 
stroyed all before it, and then marched to the left. 

By 4 p. m. the cavalry had possession of Belfield, on the 
north fork of the Meherrin River, opposite Hicksford 
where the enemy was firmly entrenched, their defences con- 
sisting of three forts connected by rifle pits, the guns 
of which protected the bridge across the river. The works 
were too formidable to be taken by General Warren's com- 
mand, equipped as it was, and having as a result of the 
raid, destroyed the railroad and the bridges on the Weldon 
R. R. for 17 miles, he turned back, and reached Sussex 
Court House at dark of the 9th. 

The next day was very cold and the infantry sufifered 
greatly, marching over the frozen mud. They reached and 
crossed the Nottaway River at Freeman's Ford, and then 
retraced their steps to the intrenchments before Petersburg, 
having travelled about 100 miles in six days. 

General Grant being desirous of breaking up the route 
of supply through Hicksford, sent a Division of cavalry 
February 5th, i86s, bv way of Ream's Station to Dmwiddie 
Court House, and the Fifth and Second Corps to cross 
Hatcher's Run at and below the crossing of the Vaughan 
Road, to hold Hatcher's Run and Armstrong's Mills, and 
to keep up communication with the intrenchments. 

The rebels had been constantly at work extenchng their 
intrenchments, which were now 37 miles in length, fmni 
the \\-hite Oak Swamp to Hatcher's Run: eight miles ot 



932 HISTORY OF THE 

these iiitrenchments being north of the James River, six- 
teen miles on the Petersburg hne, and five miles along the 
Bermuda Hundred front. Their heavy artillery filled a 
space four miles in extent, between Chapin's Bluff and Ber- 
muda Hundred. 

The entire country south of the James, as far as Prince 
George Court House, was turned into a pasture for vast 
herds of cattle, which were guarded by cavalry, and 
butchered from day to day to afford fresh meat for the 
hard-worked troops in the forts and trenches. 

Huge piles of baled hay and oats in sacks, lined the rail- 
way or were accumulated in the camps, which had become 
villages of log houses, each company and battery having 
its bakery and cook house. There was no complaint of 
poor fare or lack of clothing by the troops. 

General Warren moved at 7 o'clock on February 5th, and 
marched down the Halifax road to Rowanty Post Office, 
and then to a mile above Malone's Bridge, and halted half 
way between Rowanty Creek as Hatcher's Run is called 
after joining Gravelly Run, and Dinwiddle Court House. 

Following Griffin's ist Division were 12 field pieces. A 
long train of forage and ammunition wagons followed 
Crawford. The advance guard was three squadrons of 
cavalry. 

They were delayed by a skirmish with the enemy, and 
crossing the swamp and stream, but before night the 
Vaughan Road was reached, and the two Divisions of the 
Second Corps, after some difficulty, and a brush with the 
enemy, had established themselves at Armstrong's Mills 
and opened communication with Warren. About 5 p. m. 
they were attacked by the rebel artillery who were repulsed. 
At 9 p. m. Warren was ordered up to join the Second Corps 
Divisions. The cavalry brought up the rear of the moving 
column and skirmished with the enemy. The nights were 
intensely cold, and no fires were allowed. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 933 

Early in the morning of Pel). 6tli the command crossed 
the run at the Vaughan Road crossing. A part of the 
Ninth Corps was ordered up to join the Second Corps. On 
the /th the Union intrenchments had been extended to 
Hatcher's Run at tlie Vaughan Road crossing, the Second 
Corps holding the intrenchments on the extreme left, while 
the Fifth was massed in the rear of the Second near the 
left, and the Sixth was at Fort Fisher. 

At Fort Stedman where the distance between the oppos- 
ing lines was not more than 150 yards, and the pickets only 
50 yards apart, on the night of March 24th, 1865, the rebels 
undertook to make their escape and reach the Danville 
railroad. They overpowered Fort Stedman and captured 
Batteries 10, 11, and 12, but they were all recaptured by 
our infantry assisted by the artillery under General John C. 
Tidball posted in an advantageous position. The intrenched 
picket line of the enemy was taken by the Second Corps, and 
our lines advanced, holding the enemy's picket line against 
repeated attempts to recapture them. 

Sheridan came down from the Shenandoah Valley 
destroying railroads in his progress, and on March 27th 
formed a junction with the Armies of the Potomac and the 
James. His duty now was to destroy the enemy's com- 
munications with the South by means of the Southside and 
Danville railroads. 

General Ord, commanding the Army of the James, had 
orders to join the Army of the Potomac, and on the even- 
ing of the 28th, he was in the rear of the Second Corps, 
which was ordered to cross Hatcher's Run by the X^aughan 
Road on the morning of the 29th, take ix)sition with its 
right on Hatcher's Run and its left in connection with the 
Fifth Corps, and advance on the enemy. General W'arreti 
with the Fifth Corps was to cross Hatcher's Run at Monk's 
Neck Bridge early in the morning of the 29th. and to ad- 



934 HISTORY OF THE 

vance toward the enemy by the Boydton Road, his right 
connecting with the Second Corps. 

At 8 a. m. of the 29th the Fifth Corps had arrived at 
its destination, and at noon started to make connection 
with the Second Corps, which was accomplished after an 
encounter with the enemy on the White Oak Road, which 
was the shortest road to Five Forks, and securing it would 
force the abandonment by the enemy of the Petersburg in- 
trenchments. It was here that the battle by which the 
Union forces gained possession of Five Forks was fought 
April 1st, 1865, while the Fifth Mass. Battery was busy 
elsewhere. In the afternoon and evening of March 29th 
Generals Warren and Griffin visited the troops of the ist 
Division, who were building breastworks, subject during 
part of the day to a severe fire of artillerv, as late as 12 
o'clock at night March 31st, in front of the intrenchments 
of the rebels along the White Oak Road. The Artillery 
Reserve March 29th to April 9th, 1865, was commanded 
by Brig. Gen. William Hays : all light batteries, — 4 Maine, 
3 Massachusetts, i New Jersey, 5 New York, i Ohio, 2 
Pennsylvania, i Rhode Island, i Vermont, and i Regular. 
Total 19. 

When the enemy opened with artillery and musketry at 
10 p. m. March 29th, they threw up several rockets. Our 
artillery was stationed on that part of the line occupied by 
the Ninth Corps, extending from Battery No. 5 on the 
Appomattox River to Fort Howard, a distance of about 
five miles. 

Opposed to our batteries on the 30th March, 1865, the 
enemy had in position 91 guns of various calibers, from 6 
pdrs. to 8-inch Columbiads, and 35 mortars, also of various 
calibers. Total guns and mortars 126. On our side we 
had 40 mortars. Total guns and mortars 131. 

General Grant in his Memoirs says : 

"During the night of April 2d our line was intrenched from the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY <j;j.j 

Appomattox River above to the Appomattox River below. I ordered 
a bombardment to be commenced the next morning at 5 a. m., to be 
followed by an assault at six o'clock, but the enemy evacuated Peters- 
burg early in the morning." 

AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTI<:RY. 

November 4, 1864, the men began building stables for the 
horses, and on the 7th finished putting on the brush. The 
next day they laid the corduroy floors, and on the 9th Lieut. 
Dresser inspected the property. Nov. loth the horses 
moved into their new quarters. For building these stables 
Major Phillips says, 'Tt took 400 logs 8 feet long and a 
foot in diameter, split, and about 250 yards of brush fence 
8 feet high." Nov. nth was occupied by the men in oiling 
harness, and on the 12th they began a house for the ist 
Sergeant. Battery inspection on the 13th. 

Nov. 14, 1864, the guns were ordered into Batteries 24 
and 25, where they were before the Battery left for 
Hatcher's Run, to relieve Captain Hart and the 15th New 
York Battery ordered to Washington to recruit. The next 
day they tore down Captain Hart's quarters which were 
found in bad condition, having been robbed of their chim- 
neys and doors, and, there being plenty of timber at hand, 
new ones were started, including the house for the Orderly 
Sergeant. 

Nov. 17th and i8th Major Phillips attended a meeting 
of a board to examine recruits at the Hospital. Decem- 
ber 7th he received notice of his Brevet Majority. 

Two guns of the 9th Mass. Battery relieved two guns of 
the Fifth Mass. in one of the forts, and at 5.30 they all 
marched to join General Crawford's Division on the Jeru- 
salem Plank Road outside our rear line. The force con- 
sisted of three Divisions of the 5th Corps, one Division of 
the Second Corps and four batteries belonging to the 5th 
Corps viz.. Mink's (Capt. Charles E. Mink) H, ist N. Y., 
Stewart's B, 4th U. S., Milton's 9th ALiss. and the 5th 



936 HISTORY OF THE 

Mass., one battery with each Division. The Battery 
marched with the 3d Division down the road, turned to the 
right, crossing the Nottoway River on pontoons, to Sussex 
Court House where they camped that night, sleeping on the 
ground without covering. Capsized one wagon containing 
a tent and supphes, off the bridge. 

The object of the expedition was the destruction of the 
Weldon railroad and the Battery helped the Fifth Corps 
tear up the track from the Nottoway to the Meherrin River. 

Dec. 8th they marched through Sussex Court House and 
struck the Weldon railroad near the Nottoway River. 
Camped near the railroad while the infantry tore it up, 
burnt the bridge and destroyed the track for 20 miles, as 
far as the Fifth Corps reached, ending at the Meherrin 
River. That night there was a bad storm of rain and sleet. 

Dec. loth. Much against the inclination of the men, who 
expected to go to Weldon, they started on the return march 
by the Halifax road, which is parallel to the railroad, and 
soon after turned into the road to Sussex Court House, 
leading Crawford's Division. Camped two or three miles 
from that town. 

Dec. nth, resumed the march at daylight. Lieut. 
Simonds was ordered to take the Right section to the rear, 
and with Gen. Edward S. Bragg's Brigade of Crawford's 
3d Division, formed into a rear guard, and retired in line of 
battle. At night the cavalry which under Gregg, covered 
this movement, were fired into but no serious damage was 
done. On this march the men suffered severely. Crossed 
the Nottoway and went into camp. 

Dec. 1 2th, marched at daylight, and before night the 
guns were in their old places in Batteries 24 and 25, where 
they remained one week. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY 937 

LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

Dec. 1 8, 1864. 

The expedition was well niana^^ed, and highly successful. 
The Rebels were evident!}- taken by surprise, and could not 
:ell ^^•here we were going. They expected that we would 
push through to Weldon, and although our abilities and dis- 
positions were equal to this task, I think General Warren 
went as far as his orders allowed. Perhaps had General 
Grant been able to communicate with us after we started, 
our orders might have been changed, for certainly nc^ one 
could have anticipated that the Rebels would allow us to 
tear up 20 miles of railroad without interference. The rail- 
road was thoroughly destroyed, the troops following the 
usual way. This is as follows : — A Division, for instance, 
is drawn up along the road and arms stacked, then every 
man takes hold of the rail in front of him, and all lifting 
together, track, sleepers, and all are turned bottom side uj). 
This serves to loosen the rails, and all hands then pry oft 
the sleepers, pile them up, and place the rails on top, and 
then set them on fire. It is a very pretty sight at night to 
see a line of fires several miles long. After heating the 
rails they are bent by men bearing down on the ends. The 
most effectual method of destruction is to take a red hot 
rail and wind it round a tree, as I saw done in several in- 
stances. Besides destroying the railroad the expedition re- 
sulted in the destruction of nearly all the houses along the 
route, whether done by orders or by stragglers I do not 
know. \Miat was more important was the large amount 
of forage destroyed, probably 100.000 bushels, more or less. 
I was quite astonished at the richness of the country, all 
the barns were full of corn, and corn stacks all over the 
fields. I do not think much of it is left." 

Major Phillips speaks of the abundance of "apple jack, 



938 HISTORY OF THE 

what we call cider brandy. Every family," he says, "seemed 
to be abundantly supplied with it, and cider presses and dis- 
tilleries were scattered all around. I cannot imagine what 
such a sparse population did with so much liquor, but our 
men seemed very glad to relieve them of their surplus. 

We were in the advance going out, and in the rear com- 
ing back. No hostile demonstration worth mentioning was 
made on the troops." 

On December 19th four guns of the Battery were placed 
in Fort Alexander Hays, and two guns in Battery 22. 
General Wainwright directed Major Phillips to place 6 
rifled guns and ten 12 pdrs. on the 9th Corps line, and in the 
afternoon Lieut. Simonds with the Right section was placed 
in Battery 22, between Fort Davis and Fort Sedgwick. 
The caissons were sent back to the Brigade camp, beyond 
our rear line of works between the Jerusalem Plank Road 
and the Weldon R. R., where the Fifth Corps had their win- 
ter camp. Captain John Bigelow with the 9th Mass. Bat- 
tery was ordered to Fort Rice and Captain David F. Ritchie 
with Battery D, ist N. Y., to Fort Davis. 

Dec. 20th commenced the houses for the caisson camp, 
but stopped on account of the rain. 22d moved the houses, 
and put up two frames 11x14^ ft., and built winter quarters 
of framed houses stockaded. 

From a letter of Phillips, Fort Alex. Hays, Dec. 26, 
1864: — "We shall remain here a week. At the end of that 
time we shall go to the 5th Corps camp, between the Jeru- 
salem Road and the Halifax Road, where my caissons are 
at present." 



IN MASSACHUSETTS. 

In 1865, John A. Andrew was Governor, Joel Hayden 

Lieutenant Governor, Oliver Warner, Secretary, Henry K. 

Oliver Treasurer. President of the Senate, Jonathan E. 

Field; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alexander 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 939 

H. Bullock. 

U. S. Senators, Charles Sumner, Henry Wilson. U. S. 
Representatives, T. D. Eliot, Oakes Ames, A. H. Rice, 
Samuel Hooper, John B. Alley, Daniel W. Gooch, Geo. S. 
Boutwell, J. D. Baldwin, \\'m. B. \\'ashl)urn. Henry L. 
Dawes. 

FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS, 1865. 
"Since the war began, four hundred and thirty-four officers whose 
commissions bore our seal, or who were promoted by the President to 
higher than regimental commands, have tasted death in the defence of 
their country's flag. . . . Nor will the history be deemed complete, nor 
our duty done, until the fate and fame of every man, to the humblest 
private of them all, shall have been inscribed upon the records of this 
Capitol there to remain. I trust, until the earth and sea shall give up 
their dead. And thus shall the Capitol itself become for every soldier- 
son of ours, a monument. 

'Then olant it round with shade 
Of laurel, evergreen, and branching palm, 
With all his trophies hung, and acts enroll'd 
In copious legend, or sweet lyric song.' " 

IN VIRGINIA. 

January 2, 1865, the Battery retired irom the forts and 
the guns were taken back to camp with the 5th Corps. 
Jan'y 8th, Major R. H. Fitzhugh, Major Phillips, Captain 
Mink and Captain George Breck dined with Captain John 
Bigelow of the 9th :\Iass. Battery. It was his farewell 
dinner. 

LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

Jan'y 10, 1865. 

I had quite a pleasant time in Fort Hays, as part of the 
garrison was the 56th Mass., whose Lt. Colonel Jarves is a 
classmate of mine. Captain Shurtleff of the same reg't. 
was in the class of 1861, so we had a pleasant time together. 
Jarves and Shurtleff dined with me on Christmas, and I 
returned the visit on New Year's Day. 



940 HISTORY OF THE 

We are now at work building winter quarters. My bed 
sack went into the road to lighten a wagon stuck in the mud 
a long time ago, but I have plenty of blankets. Our men 
got their Thanksgiving dinner from the North though a 
dav or two late." 



On the nth the men's winter quarters were finished, and 
the next day stables were commenced again. 

January i8, 1865, ]\Iajor Phillips started on a 20 days' 
leave. 

Jan'y 28th the guns were again placed in Fort Hays and 
Battery 22. 

February 8th Major Phillips returned to camp, having 
walked from Hancock's Station, on the railroad from City 
Point. He found the guns of the Fifth Mass. Battery in 
the forts, and most of the Fifth Corps gone to the left. He 
brought the guns back from the front at Hatcher's Run, 
where they had been during the assault of Feb. 6th and 7th, 
1865, and the three batteries on the left, the Ninth Mass., 
and Batteries L and E, ist N. Y. Light, were relieved by 
three other batteries, and returned to camp. On the 12th 
there was battery inspection at 10.30 a. m. Battery drill 
in the afternoon of the 13th and the following morning. 
On the 14th the frame of Lieut. Simonds' house was raised. 
Inspection on the 19th and drill on the 20th in the fore- 
noon. At 12 o'clock noon of the 21st a salute of 100 guns 
was fired by the Battery with Batteries D and G, 5th \j. S., 
in honor of General Sherman's victor3\ On the 22d, 
U'ashington's birthday, there was Battery drill in the fore- 
noon, and inspection at 2.30 p. m. by Captain Carl Berlin, 
brigade inspector. It was rumored that an attack was to 
be made on our Centre, and the Battery remained hitched 
up till night. 

Feb. 25, 1865, marched in the rain to Hatcher's Run and 
relie\-ed Captain David F. Ritchie and the ist N. Y. Light 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. ui 

Battery D, wlio were in camp near General Griffin's lid. 
Qrs. on the new line of breastw^orks. Here houses for the 
men were found, but no officers' quarters, and they Ijegan at 
once to build chimneys. By the 4th of March a frame 
house had been built for the officers and a hedge around 
Hd. Qrs. It rained most of the time. On the 5th the Bat- 
tery w^as inspected, and March 6th the ist Division Fifth 
Corps was inspected by General Griffin. Two days after, 
on the /th, the Division was reviewed by General Meade. 

March 11, 1865, the Battery was relieved at 12 o'clock 
by Batteries G and D, 5th U. S., Lieut. Wm. E. Van Reed, 
and returned to the old camp over terribly muddy roads. 
March 12th the Battery was inspected and on the 13th there 
was drill on the [)iece and the company was vaccinated. 

LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

''Camp before Petersburg, 

March 13, 1865. 

On the 25th of last month the Battery went up to the left 
at Hatcher's Run, relieving another battery there. We left 
our camp and merely carried enough to get along with. 
We had a very pleasant camp in the edge of a little pine 
grove and the w-eather was quite warm. For the first few 
days we lived in tents, until we could Imild houses. Lieut. 
Simonds and I occupied one house 9 ft. square, with berths 
one over the other. This arrangement did very well until 
one morning Lieut. Simonds, who occupied the top l^erth 
managed to come through, and 'what a fall was there, my 
countrymen!' Fortunately no damage was done. 

Several reviews came off wdiile w-e w^ere up there. Day 
before yesterday we were relieved, and returned to our old 
camp. . . . The (newspaper) accounts (of deserters com- 
ing in) are not exaggerated, and most of them now bring 
their arms with them. Almost any day one can meet 
squads of rebels prowling round in our lines. Day before 



942 HISTORY OF THE 

yesterday I saw 4 Rebels. 2 of them armed, in charge of a 
sohtary cavalry man." 



March 14th. Drill on the manual of the piece in the 
morning, followed in the afternoon by a drill by Lieut. Col. 
Robert H. Fitzhugh with three other batteries. 

March 15th, received orders to reduce Battery to four 
guns, and on the next day two guns were sent to City Point 
to turn in. Sutlers were sent to the rear. March 17th 
Lieut. Simonds went home on 20 days' leave. i8th, the 
guns of the Fifth Mass. Battery were again placed in Fort 
Hays, relieving Battery B, ist N. Y. Lieut. Mason W. 
Page was sent up in charge of the pieces, and Major Phil- 
lips reported in person to General Tidball. 

March 19th, 1865, orders were issued reducing the bat- 
teries of the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Corps to nine bat- 
teries of four guns each. 

March 25, 1865. At daylight Fort Stedman on the 
Ninth Corps line, was surprised by an attack by the enemy, 
and the Fifth Corps batteries, among them the 14th Mass. 
Battery, were ordered up. Lieut. Ephraim B. Nye of the 
14th, formerly Quartermaster Sergeant of the 5th Battery, 
refusing to surrender was shot and instantly killed. 

Li the end the rebels were driven out with a loss of about 
1700 prisoners. 

FROM LETTERS OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"Camp before Petersburg, 

March 26, 1865. 
Yesterday we had quite a scare and excitement, owing 
to the Rebels surprising Stedman. This is about two miles 
to the right of Fort Hays, so that we did not get into the 
scrape at all. I was waked from my quiet slumbers at day- 
break, bv one of General Wainwright's aids, who told me 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 943 

the enemy had broken through the 9th Corps Hne. I had 
the caissons hitched up, mounted my steed and rode to Fort 
Hays and found everything quiet there, and the men Hsten- 
ing very unconcernedly to the firing on their right. The 
Rebels did not make much out of the attempt, though it is 
strange that our men allowed themselves to be surprised, 
as the line was notified at midnight to expect an attack at 
daylight. On Wednesday we had a perfect tornado; sev- 
eral trees in rear of our camp were blown down, and near 
the front line there is a path of prostrate trees, some 200 
yards wide. . . . The caissons remain in our regular camp, 
and I stay there too, keeping one officer at the fort. 

March 27th. General Sheridan has arrived here with 
his soldiers." 



March 28th, 1865, the Army was preparing to make the 
movement to the left which resulted in Lee's surrender. 
Five batteries of the Fifth Corps marched to Corps Head 
Quarters at Hatcher's Run, and two batteries, the 9th Mass. 
Battery and Battery B, ist Penn., reported to the Ninth 
Corps. Three batteries, C, E and L, ist N. Y., with the 
Fifth Mass. Battery were placed under the command of 
Major Charles A. Phillips, and operated with the Ninth 
Corps in the final attack upon Petersburg. 

Wednesday, March 29, 1865, the Army moved at 3 a. m. 
to the left. Major Phillips placed his batteries in position 
in rear of the main line. 

April 1st 1865. about midnight an attack was made along 
the front of the Ninth Corps, and by daylight of the 2d, we 
had captured about half a mile of the rebel works, extend- 
ing from the Jerusalem Plank Road towards our right. 

Two Detachments of the Fifth Mass. Battery numl^ering 
17 men. under Lieut. Alason W. Page, were engaged, and 
this was the last shot fired by the men of the Battery. The 
enemv received the fire from their own guns. 



944 HISTORY OF THE 

The Rebel government left Richmond abjiit 2 o'clock in 
the afternoon of the 2d of April, 1865. Our forces took 
possession about 8.15 on the morning of the 3d. The city 
was in flames until extinguished by our troops. 

REPORT OF BREVT BRIG. GEN. JOHN C. TIDBALL, COM- 
MANDING ARTILLERY BRIGADE NINTH 
ARMY CORPS. 

"At 4 a. m. (of the 2d April, 1865) the hour appointed for the assault 
upon the enemy's works in front of Fort Sedgwick, the artillery upon 
the whole line promptly opened and was immediately replied to in the 
most vigorous manner by the enemy, and it is probable that never 
since the invention of gunpowder has such a cannonade taken place. 
. All the guns in these forts opened rapidly for fifteen minutes with 
evident effect, ceasing in the exact time for the infantry to make the 
charge that carried the enemy's lines. ... A Detachment of 100 men 
from the ist Conn. Artillery commanded by Lieut. William H. Rogers, 
accompanied the column of attack upon the enemy's works in front 
of Fort Sedgwick, and served the captured guns throughout the day. 
These men were fully equipoed with everything necessary to serve such 
artillery as would be captured. They at once seized the enemy's guns 
and opened fire upon him as he fell back to his second line. 

During the entire day Lieutenant Rogers and his party, while op- 
posed to all the fierce attacks of the enemy, retained possession of the 
captured guns, and from positions entirely uncovered from the close 
fire of the enemy, kept up a constant fire, which besides doing great 
injury to the enemy, inspired our own troops to hold that which they 
had gained. These men were ably seconded by Captain David F. 
Ritchie, Battery C, ist N. Y. Artillery, who early in the day occupied a 
small work in rear of Fort Sedgwick, but after the enemy's lines were 
carried, it was deemed advisable to send him with his cannoneers into 
the captured No. 27, in which were three iron and two brass 12 
pounder guns. 

Captain Ritchie led his men in a most gallant manner through the 
embrasures of Fort Sedgwick, and across the open ground to Battery 
No. 27, and immediately turned with excellent judgment and effect 
the guns he found on the enemy. Through the whole day, notwith- 
standing the repeated attempts made by the enemy to retake the works, 
Captain Ritchie held his own: though at times unavoidably short 
of ammunition, he encouraged his support by cheering representations 
and personal exposure. . . . Fourteen thousand two hundred and 
fifty-one rounds, is the amount of artillery ammunition expended dur- 
ing the engagement. ... It was with much pleasure that, in compliance 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 945 

with an invitation from the major-general commanding the Corps, I 
was enabled to recommend the under-mentioned officers for promotion 
by brevet. 

Second Lieut. Mason W. Page, Fifth Mass. Battery. All of whom 
did excellent service with their commands in repulsing the assault 
on Fort Stedman, and in the assault on Petersburg on the 2d day of 
April, 1865." 

REPORT OF CAPT. DAVID F. RITCHIE. 

". . . . At no time during the fight were there less than three guns 
in working order, and most of the time there were five. . . . During 
the day I was reinforced by ten men with a sergeant and corporal from 
Battery B, ist Pennsylvania, under charge of First Lieutenant Rice; 
about a dozen men with a sergeant and one or two corporals from the 
Twenty-Seventh New York Battery, and First Lieutenant Teller, and 
two Detachments with their non-commissioned officers under charge of 
Second Lieutenant Page from the Fifth Massachusetts Battery. Captain 
McClelland of B, First Pennsylvania was present part of the day, and 
rendered good service. Captain AlcClelland and Lieutenant Page were 
slightly wounded. 

To all the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of Battery 
B, First Pennsylvania, Twenty-Seventh New York Independent Bat- 
tery, and the Fifth Mass. Battery, who assisted to work the guns in 
the rebel fort, too much praise can scarcely be awarded. I have men- 
tioned them in the order in which they came to the fort, and I would 
further mention particular instances of gallantrv and coolness but will 
leave this for the officers of the respective batteries. . . . 

About 4 p. m. B'v't Mai. C. A. Phillips, Fifth Massachusetts Bat- 
tery, came up to the fort, and by virtue of his rank assumed command, 
remaining until the morning of the 3d instant." 



THE REPORT OF MAJOR PHILLIPS 
of the part taken by his command in the recent battles 
which compelled the Evacuation of Petersburg. A copy 
of this report was forwarded to Lieut. Thomas Heasley 
34th N. Y. Battery, Acting Assistant Adjutant General on 
General Tidball's staff, Art'y Brig. 9th Corps. April 7. 1865. 
Hd. Ors. Battery (E) iMass. Art'y, 

April 5. 1865. 
Lieut. Heasley A. A. A. G. Arty Brig. 9th A. C. 
Lieutenant. 



946 HISTORY OF THE 

I have the honor to make the following- report of the part 
taken by this Battery since the 30th of March. 

The guns of the Battery were in Fort Alex. Hays and 
remained there until the 3d of April. 

In the forenoon of the 2d of April, in compliance with 
orders from General Tidball I sent 2d Lieut. M. W. Page 
with two detachments of cannoneers to Fort Sedgwick, and 
from there they were ordered into the rebel battery No. 2" 
across the Jerusalem Plank Road. This battery had been 
garrisoned by Battery B, Sumter Artillery, Georgia Volun- 
teers, with 6 Light 12 pdrs. Besides the men from my 
battery there were detachments from Battery C, ist N. Y. 
Art'y; B, ist Penn. Art'y, and 27th N. Y. Battery. 

The gorge of the battery being open, the men were ex- 
posed to a very severe fire from sharpshooters and from 
one 8 in. Columbiad and two 8 in. siege Howitzers in Fort 
Virginia about 600 yds. in our front, as well as from several 
pieces of Light Artillery. These pieces were mostly silenced 
by noon. 

Lieut. Page was wounded and obliged to leave the field 
about noon. 

We kept up a constant and apparently successful fire until 
night. The behavior of the officers and men in the Bat- 
tery was excellent. I make especial mention of Privates 
Joseph Burns and Thomas Jones. These two men were 
sent up with dinner for men at the guns. Upon reaching 
the front they volunteered for a charge upon Fort Mahone 
and entered it among the first. They afterwards returned 
to Battery 27, and helped work the guns. Private Burns 
was here severely wounded in the arm. 
I am very respectfully 

Your ob't serv't 
Charles A. Phillips Capt. & B'v't Major, 

Com'd'g Battery E, Mass. Art'y. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 947 

LIST OF CASUALTIES IN BATTERY E, MASS. 

ART'Y. 

April 2, 1865. 

Wounded. 

2d Lieut. Mason W. Page. Severe Gunshot wound in 
chest. 

Private Michael Flynn. Arm. Amputated. 

Joseph Burns. Severe contusion of arm. 

Wilham Roberts. Gunshot wound in l^ack. 
Total I officer and 3 men. 



Diary of Major Phillips: "April i, 1865. Very pleasant. 
Rode round the line. At 1 1 p. m. received orders to re- 
port in person to General Tidball. Was told that all the 
batteries were to open fire immediately, and a general attack 
was to be made on the rebel line. 

Sunday April 2, 1865. The ball opened about midnight. 
The brigade at Fort Hays advanced, captured the picket line, 
and by daylight had sent in about 150 prisoners. By sun- 
rise we held a large part of the rebel line in front of Fort 
Hell (Sedgwick) and were firing the Rebel's guns at them. 
About 10 a. m. sent Lieut. Page with two detachments to 
Fort SedgW'ick. He soon w^ent into Battery 2y to man cap- 
tured guns. . . . 

FROM A LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"City Point, Va. 

April 6, 1865. 
. . . The 56th Mass. took the Rebel Battery No. 27 on 
the Plank Road mounting six 12 pdr. guns, and Captain 
Ritchie commanding one of my batteries went in with his 
cannoneers to work the rebel guns." After giving the 
names of the other Detachments ordered in he says : — "The 
guns were handled in good shape under a Aery hot fire from 



948 HISTORY OF THE 

the enemy. Battery '27' is an open battery i. e. open in the 
rear, towards Petersburg, consequently, after the guns were 
turned round our men had no protection and might as well 
have been in the open field." Their guns, as described in 
his report, he says "ought to have knocked us all to pieces 
in 1 5 minutes, but they fired grape, canister, and shell at us 
with their usual inaccuracy. Our only salvation for the 
first two or three hours was to fire as fast as possible, and 
we kept them pretty quiet. About 10 a. m. a charge was 
made on Fort Mahone, the work on the left of 'Battery 27,' 
and it was carried, two of my men entering the work at the 
head of the column with muskets. Soon after, Lieut. Page 
was struck in the breast and went to the rear. I had up to 
that time remained in Fort Hays, but when Lieut. Page 
came back I concluded to go up. Just as I reached Fort 
Sedgwick the Rebels had recaptured Fort Mahone and the 
troops with the exception of the 56th Mass. had left 'Bat- 
tery 27' in a panic. I did not like the looks of things, but 
I jumped through an embrasure and ran for the front. 
The plain between Fort Sedgwick and 'Battery 27' was 
swept by musketry and artillery from Fort Mahone, and 
people travelling across it went rather in a hurry. I had to 
cross our old picket line and the old rebel picket line. On 
both of these I found numbers of demoralized troops, but 
they could not be persuaded to go to the front. At the rebel 
picket line I halted a moment to get breath, and at that 
moment the 114th N. Y. (Zouaves) started at a run from 
the left of Fort Sedgwnck to 'Battery 27' and entered it by 
the left, just as I entered by the right. In the ditch of 
'Battery 27' I found demoralized infantry and artillery who 
reported our men all driven out. I climbed up to an em- 
brasure and saw one of my men. and one of Captain 
Ritchie's loading a gun, so I jumped through and found 
everything all right though it had been a narrow escape. 
The rebels had got so near that we had spiked one gun. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTFRY. r,40 

We kept up our firing and gradually got troops back, until 
we felt pretty secure. Our greatest fear was that we should 
get out of ammunition as it had to be brought up by men 
carrying one round in each hand across the open plain. 
Although in some respects disagreeable we rather enjoyed 
it. There was a great sense of freedom in firing the rebel 
guns as we did not care whether we burst them or not. We 
dismounted one gun by the recoil, and split the reinforce on 
the breech of another. W^e captured the clothing, papers, 
&c. of our predecessors, and found that the batterv had been 
held by Battery B, Sumter Artillery, Captain Patterson. 
I obtained Captain Patterson's Ordnance Returns and found 
most of his Ordnance on hand. During the afternoon we 
did not fire much, but sheltered ourselves in the bomb 
proofs and traverses, and laughed at the infantry who came 
up in the muddiest plights and tumbled through the em- 
brasures. . . . About midnight we found the Re1>el line was 
deserted and our troops occupied Fort Mahone. We could 
then see large fires in Petersburg, and knew it was evac- 
uated." 



In the Adjutant General's Report, 1865, of the state of 

Massachusetts, appears the following in relation to the 56th 

(First Veteran) Regiment Infantry: — 

"The regiment held for a long time the line of rebel works on the 
Jerusalem Plank Road, assisted only by the Fifth Mass. Battery. All 
our other troops had been forced to abandon the line, and had not 
the Fifty-Sixth held the key-point with great tenacity, the rebels would 
have regained the whole line." 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE LAST CAMP IN VIRGINIA 

AND THE 

LAST MARCH. 

"And those who knew each other not, 

Their hands together steal ; 
Each thinks of some long-hallowed spot, 

And all like brothers feel. 
Such holy thoughts to all are given 

The lowliest has his part ; 
The love of home, like love of heaven, 

Is woven in our heart." 

Breton Song in Lever's Charles O'Mallcy. 

The withdrawal of the Confederate troops from Peters- 
burg presaged a movement by their leaders to possess them- 
selves of a last resort, which in General Grant's judgment 
would be either Danville or Lynchburg, and he at once took 
measures to interrupt its progress by cutting off the railroads 
leading to those cities. On the morning of April 3, 1865, 
he commenced the pursuit of the rebel army by sending for- 
ward the cavalry to Deep Creek, followed by the Fifth 
Corps, and on the 5th by the Second and Sixth Corps, all 
forming line of battle at Jetersville the Fifth Corps holding 
the Centre. 

Lee's Army was rapidly concentrating at Amelia Court 
House, and the 24th and 25th CoqDS took the southern route 
by way of Black's and White's Station, Burkesville and 
High Bridge. Having advanced the Second, Fifth, and 
Sixth Corps four miles, with the intention of giving battle 
to Lee, Meade became aware that Lee's Army had passed 
the Left of his Army during the night of the 5th of April, 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. .,01 

1865, and that a strong column of infantry, which had l)ecn 
encountered on Flat Creek, composed his rear guard. 

General Meade at once ordered "right aljout face," and 
the Second Corps proceeded to Deatonsville, crossing Flat 
Creek, the Fifth Corps went to the right, through Paine- 
ville, and the Sixth Corps joined the cavalry, under Sheri- 
dan's command, at Jetersville. The Second Corjjs met tlie 
enemy under Gordon at Flat Creek, and pursued him for 14, 
miles to the forks of a road, wdiere he was reinforced by the 
Confederates wdio had crossed Sailor's Creek and made a 
stand at Rice's Station on high ground where they went 
about the construction of temporary breastworks; not un 
molested, for our cavalry had succeeded in striking the 
column at a weak point, capturing 16 pieces of artillery, 
400 wagons, and a large number of prisoners. 

Our forces in the mean time had continued the pursuit of 
Gordon, who attempted to make a last stand at Sailor's 
Creek, but was beaten by the Second Corps, who took 4 
guns, 13 flags, and 1700 prisoners. Here, also, Lee lost a 
large part of his wagon trains which were massed at the 
crossing of the creek. Gordon reached High Bridge, which 
was a railroad bridge, safely that night, as the Second Coq)s 
halted after crossing the creek. 

" At Rice's Station, the rebel general Anderson, behind his 
temporary breastworks, found himself cut off by our forces 
from the road in his front, and before he was able to decide 
upon any movement, part of the Sixth Corps charged upon 
Fwell, who had come to Anderson's assistance at the same 
time that our cavalry attacked Anderson. The result was 
a total rout of the enemy, and the destruction of Ewell's 
entire command. 

The Fifth Corps bivouacked on Sailor's Creek on the 
night of the 6th of April, having encountered the enemy at 
PaineviUe and captured a large number of guns and army 
wagons. So many supplies had been captured that the 



952 HISTORY OF THE 

enemy began to be seriously crippled. On this night the 
Confederates under Longstreet crossed to the north bank of 
the Appomattox at Farmville, and in the morning started 
out on the leading road through Appomattox Court House 
to Lynchburg, leaving a force of cavalry in the vicinity of 
Farmville. Also, on the 7th, Gordon crossed High Bridge 
to the north bank of the Rappahannock, followed by the 
confederate general Mahone's Division. 

General Sheridan had protected the Danville railroad; 
the 24th Corps was moving towards Farmville; General 
Griffin with the Fifth Corps was on the way to Prince Ed- 
ward Court House. The Second Corps crossed High 
Bridge on the 7th notwithstanding the attempted destruc- 
tion of the bridge by the enemy, and following the enemy 
up the river to Farmville, overtook him, and cut off a large 
number of his wagons. 

While this was being accomplished, the Confederates had 
concentrated near the Lynchburg road, and the Fifth Corps 
had crossed the Lynchburg railroad at Rice's Station, and 
was at Prince Edward Court House. 

At 8.30 p. m. of April 7th, General Grant being satisfied 
that further resistance on the part of the Confederates was 
useless, and that the sacrifice of more lives savored of inhu- 
manity, sent a note to General Lee, asking him to surrender 
that portion of the Confederate Army known as the Army 
of Northern Virginia, and received a reply asking the terms 
Grant would offer on condition of the surrender. The 
reply went a long way around by way of High Bridge, and 
General Lee moved off with his command during the night. 
He was followed at 5.30 a. ul of the 8th by the Second and 
Sixth Corps on the road to Lynchburg, and General Grant 
wrote the letter offering to meet Lee to arrange terms of 
surrender at any point agreeable to him, which was sent 
from our front into the rear guard of the enemy's forces 
while we were still in purusit, and the cavalry came up from 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 953 

the vicinity of Prince Edward Court House to Appomattox 
Station, arriving early in the evening, having made impor- 
tant captures of artillery supply wagons, and three railway 
trains. Moving up to Appomattox Court House they 
formed across the road along which the Confederates were 
moving. The road from the Court House to Lynchburg 
was held by our troops. 

At dusk of the 8th General Lee's reply was received by 
our advance at New Store, and sent back ten miles to Gen- 
eral Grant at Curdsville. 

Grififin wnth the Fifth Corps bivouacked at 2 a. m. of the 
9th within 2 miles of Appomattox Court House, after a 
march of 29 miles, and at 4 a. m. moved out and reached 
General Sheridan's Head Quarters near the Court House 
at 6 a. m. April 9th. The cavalry were reported still 
fighting, and two Divisions of the Fifth Corps moved rap- 
idly out in the direction of the firing, and forming tw^o lines 
of battle drove the enemy from the hills where he had estab- 
lished his artillery, taking a number of prisoners, w'agons 
and guns. Fighting w^as going on in the town when Gen- 
eral Sheridan ordered a suspension of hostilities as General 
Lee was about to surrender. 

AS TOLD BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY. 

April 3d, 1865, the guns of the Fifth Mass. Battery were 
removed from Fort Hays. 

Phillips' Diary: "April 3, 1865. The Rebels burnt up 
all stores &c. last night and evacuated, and our troops en- 
tered Petersburg at 5 a. m. I walked to within a short dis- 
tance of the city, passed tw^o 32 pdr. Howitzers and one 8 
in. Columbiad spiked. ... The 9th Corps moved up to 
Petersburg." 

In his letter written at City Point April 6, 1865. Phillips 

says of the advance : — 

'The advance was ordered to be made at 5 a. m. and then 



954 HISTORY OF THE 

everybody rushed for the city. About 2 a. m. I had one 
gun carried forward down the Plank Road in advance of 
everything, and tried to shell Petersburg, but I am afraid 
I did not succeed in reaching it. I sent the men back to 
Fort Plays, and in the afternoon rode into Petersburg. It 
is quite a pretty place, and the number of negroes was as- 
tonishing." 

April 4th in the evening the Battery marched to City 
Point, and on the 5th became a part of the Second Brigade 
of the Artillery Reserve of 21 batteries. Major Phillips 
was placed in command of the Second Brigade, consisting 
of the Fifth Mass. Battery and Batteries C, E, G & L, ist 
New York. The Brigade was camped about two miles 
from City Point. 

From Major Phillips' Letter of April 6th : — "All the in- 
fantry of the Army followed the Rebels, the artillery left 
behind has been organized into an Artillery Reserve like the 
one I was in at Gettysburg. This consists of 4 Brigades, 
and I am in command of the 2d Brigade, consisting of five 
batteries. We are camped just outside the fortifications of 
City Point, and have a very pleasant camp. We marched 
down here day before yesterday. Lieut. Page is in the hos- 
pital at City Point. Private Flynn has lost his arm." 

Sunday, April 9, 1865, news was received, in the evening, 
of the surrender of General Lee and his x\rmy. 

April 1 2th, 1865, four years to a day since the attack on 
Sumter, the flag of the Union was restored with appropriate 
ceremonies to its citadel, by the same hands which had been 
compelled to lower it when the fort was surrendered. It 
was a pleasant day. Ten thousand prisoners including ten 
generals, went by the camp to City Point. 

Phillips' Diary: "April 13, 1865. Rainy. Sent off 24 
horses from the Battery, and 104 from the Brigade to the 
batteries at the front." 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 955 

LETTER OF MAJOR PIIIELIPS. 

'"Hd. Ors. 2D Brig. Art'y Reserve 

City Point, April 21, 1865. 
The news of President Lincoln's death came on us very 
suddenly. I heard of it at midnight on Friday and at the 
same time we were informed that the paroled prisoners were 
making their way in large numhers to City Point with hos- 
tile intent. As our force here is not very large, we were 
obliged to do picket duty for the occasion, and I sent out 
30 horsemen armed and equipped to patrol the country. The 
same thing was done the next night, and then, the alarm 
having snlisided, it ceased. Our only achievement was the 
capture of 1500 rounds of cartridges for Si)encer rifles in a 
house near by." 

The President Assassinated. 

President Abraham Lincoln died Saturday, April 15. 
1865, at 22 minutes past seven in the morning. He had 
been shot the evening previous at Ford's Theatre in Wash- 
ington. 

April 23d the 9th ^lass. Battery joined the Brigade of 
which IMajor Phillips was in command, and Second Lieut. 
William Park Jr. was detailed as adjutant general on Major 
Phillips' staff. 

April 30, 1865. the Fifth Mass. Battery, Lieut. Harrison 
O. Simonds, was assigned to the Artillery Brigade Fifth 
Army Corps under B'v't Brig. Gen. Charles S. Wainwrighl. 
The other batteries composing the Brigade were six X. Y. 
light batteries, two Regulars, and the 15th X. V. Heavy. 
Company M. The Fifth ALass. Battery was then serving 
with the Artillery Reserve. 

May 3d the Artillery Resene marched at 7.30. the 3d 
Brigade leading, 2d Brigade next. Crossed the Appomat- 
tox bv a bridge of 21 pontoons at Broadway Landing, 



956 HISTORY OF THE 

crossed the James at Aiken's Landing, and camped about 
two miles beyond, just outside the rebel lines, near the river. 
IMajor Phillips rode into the rebel lines; found the works 
very fine especially the bomb proofs. 

Phillips' Diary: "May 4, 1865. Marched at 6 a. m. 2d 
Brigade leading, into Richmond, up Main Street to i8th, 
up 1 8th, and the Mechanicsville pike, and camped about 2 
miles beyond Mechanicsville. In the afternoon Captain 
Ritchie, Simonds and I rode down to Gaines ]\Iills. 

May 5th marched at 6 a. m., 2d Brigade in the rear. 
Rain, and muddy. Left the Mechanicsville pike and took 
the road to Pole Green Church and Hanover Court House, 
the one we marched on the 27th of May, 1862. Camped 
between the Court House and the river. 

May 6. 1865. Delayed until 2 p. m. by the pontoon 
bridge. Crossed the Pamunkey, and camped just beyond. 
Hd. Ors. in front of Mr. Tunstall's houses. Crossed the 
Pamunkey River at Littlepage's Bridge. 

May 7th. Ivlarched at 4 a. m., forded the Mattapony at 
Milford, and camped at Bowling Green. 8th. Marched at 
5 a. m. to Fredericksburg, and would have crossed, but re- 
ceived orders from General Meade to camp at Hamilton 
Crossing. 9th. Crossed the Rappahannock and marched 
through Stafford C. H. to Acquia. loth. IMarched through 
Dumfries and camped about 4 miles beyond, nth. 
Marched through Fairfax Station and C. H. to Annandale 
and camped. Stopped to see Scott at the Court House. 
Very cold and rainy during the night. 12th, cool but 
pleasant. In camp all day. The 5th Corps passed us. 

May 13, 1865. Marched to a point about three miles 
from Alexandria between Fort Reynolds and Fort Barry 
and went into camp." 

This was the last camp of the Battery in Virginia. 

May 15th Major Phillips sent to Alexandria for ammu- 
nition chests. On the 22d he inspected the Brigade. He 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 957 

as well as other officers and men of the Battery attended the 
Grand Review in Washington of the Army of the Potomac 
and Sherman's great Army, but the Battery was not in line. 

May 28th Major Phillips rode with Captain Milton and 
others to see "Forts Ward, Worth, Williams, and Battery 
Rodgers, the latter in Alexandria, mounting five 200 pdr. 
Parrotts and one XV in. gun." 

May 30th Lieut. Page came into camp in the evening 
with orders to turn in the batteries, and the next day the 
Maine batteries in the Reserve were turned in. 

June I, 1865, was appointed a day of fasting and prayer. 

FROM A LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

"Near Washington 

June I, 1865. 

I expect to turn in the Battery tomorrow, and we shall 
start for Massachusetts as soon as we can get transporta- 
tion. Today being Fast Day there is no business done, or 
1 should be in at the Arsenal." 

June 1st the Fifth Army Corps of the Army of the 
Potomac ceased to exist. 

Diary of Major Phillips; "June 2, 1865. Turned in Bat- 
tery at the Arsenal; horses at Giesboro (?) Pt. and wagons 
on G Street. 

June 3, 1865. Applied for transportation to Readville. 
At 1 1 p. m. received orders to start the next morning. Illu- 
minated camp. Rode round in the afternoon visiting the 
5th Corps. 

THE LAST MARCH. 

June 4, 1865. At 4 a. m. started for Washington; got 
on the cars about 11. reached Baltimore about sunset; 
changed cars. 

June 5, 1865. Reached Philadelphia at sunrise, break- 



958 HISTORY OF THE 

fasted, and took the Camden and Amboy R. R. for New 
York. Arrived at New York at 4^, put the men on board 
the 'Commodore,' Stonington Hne." 

The Boston Journal of the 5th in its announcement of the 
arrival of the Battery said : — 

"The old organizations arriving in this city come under orders to 
report at once to the U. S. mustering officer, and this precludes any 
reception in their honor." 

PhilHps' Diary continued: "Junt 6th, 1865. Arrived at 
Readville alx)Ut 8, and went into barracks. Reported to 
Major Clark in Boston (see p. 13 "The Battery Flags") 
and went to work on Muster Out Rolls." 

On the 1 2th of June, the Battery was mustered out of the 
United States service, and on the 24th the men were paid 
ofif at Readville and dispersed to their homes. 

The report of Major C. A. Phillips to Adjutant General 
Wm. Schouler closes with the following words : — 

"This, sir, ends the record of the Fifth Battery. They 
have tried to do their duty, and the record speaks for itself. 
By orders from Head Quarters of the Army of the Potomac, 
they carry on their flag the names Yorktown, Hanover 
Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, 
Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Rappahannock Station. Mine Run, Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, 
Weldon R. R., and Hatcher's Run. This list of battles, and 
our list of killed and wounded, will show what dangers we 
have been through. As to our conduct throughout our 
term of service, others must judge." 

In the true copy of Major Phillips' Discharge here given, 
the year of his enrollment should be 1861, and his age 
when discharged was 24. 

DISCHARGE PAPERS OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

To All Whom It May Concern. 
[Picture of an American eagle surrounded by stars. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. I»o0 

standing on a shield, with the national colors in tin- hack- 
gronnd.] 

Know ye, That Charles A. Phillips, a Captain & B'v't Maj. of 
Company (E) Massachusetts Artillery Volunteers, who was enrolled 
on the i8th day of October one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two 
tG serve Three years or during the war, is hereby Discharged from 
the service of the United States this 12th day of June, 1865, at Read- 
ville, Massachusetts, by reason of Muster Out of Company. (No ob- 
jection to his bting re-enlisted is known to exist.*) 

Said Charles A. Phillips was born in Salem, in the state of Massa- 
chusetts, is 20 years of age, 5 feet 10^ inches high, Light complexion, 
Blue eyes. Light hair, and by occupation when enrolled a law student. 

Given at Readville. Mass. this 12th day of June. 1865. 

RoBT. Davis, 
ist Lt. & B'v't Capt. 2d U. S. Inf. 

Mustering Officer. 

* This sentence will be erased should there be anything in the con- 
duct or physical condition of the soldier rendering him unfit for the 
Army. 
[A. G. O. No. 9Ql 

Across the page in red ink is written: — 

Paid in full. A. Holman. 

Pay. U .S. A. 
June 26, 1865. 

On the back is a printed form of the "Oath of Identity." 



ACCOUNTS ALL SETTLED. 
Certificate of Ordnance Office, 

Non-Indebtedness on War Department, 

account of Ordnance Washington, D. C, 

Stores. April 23, 1866. 

Capt. Chas. A. Phillips, 

Battery E, Mass. Artillery B'v't Maj. U. S. Vols. 
Salem, Mass. 
Sir: 
1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your affidavit covering 
your accountability for Ordnance and Ordnance Stores. 

The records of this Office show that no returns for such pronerty 



960 HISTORY OF THE 

are due from you, and you are therefore relieved from all accountability 
on that account. 
Respectfully 

Your obedient servant. 

By Order of the Chief of Ordnance, 

Jno. R. M'Guiness, 
Lieut, of Ordnance, 
Brev't Capt. U. S. A. 
Ass't to Chief of Ordnance. 



QUARTERMASTER'S STORES. TO MAJ. C. A. PHILLIPS. 

Treasury Department, 
Third Auditor's Office, 

May 13, 1870. 
Sir: 

It becom.es my duty to notify you that your Returns of Quar- 
termaster's Stores for the period of 4th Qr. 1862, to June, 1865, having 
passed the administrative scrutiny of the proper military bureau, have 
been examined in this Office and found correct. 

1 his closes your accountability for property of the Quartermaster's 
Department, so far as the same is known to this Office. 
Very respectfully, 

Allan Rutherford, 
Auditor. 
Chas. a. Phillips, 

Capt. Battery E, 
Mass. Lt. Art'y. 



With the special approval c^f the chairman of the com- 
mittee on its publication, the following extract from an 
address of Governor Andrew in honor of the dead, and 
the last verse of Colonel T. W. Higginson's "Waiting for 
the Bugle," in sympathy with the living soldiers of the War 
for the Preservation of the Union, will fitly close this his- 
tory of nearly four years of life in camp, on the march, and 
in the field, of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery, Light 
Artillery : — 

"By the homely traditions of the fireside, by the headstones in the 
church yard consecrated to those whose forms repose far off in rude 
graves by the Rappahannock, or sleep beneath the sea, embalmed in the 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 961 

memories of succeeding generations of parents and children, the heroic 
dead will live on in immortal youth. The great proclamation of liberty 
will lift the Ruler who uttered it, our Nation and our age above all 
vulgar destiny." 



"Though the bivouac of age may put ice 

in our veins, 
And no fibre of steel in our sinew remains; 
Though the comrades of yesterday's march are 

not here. 
And the sunlight seems pale and the branches 

are sere: 
Though the sound of our cheerintr-dies down 

to a moan. 
We shall find our lost youth when the 

bu^le is blown." 

[FINIS.] 



PROMOTIONS AND RESIGNATIONS OF COM- 
MISSIONED OFFICERS 

OF 

THE FIFTH MASS. BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

1861. 

Sept. 28, 1 86 1, George D. Allen of Maiden, was com- 
missioned First Lieutenant. 

Oct. 8, 1 86 1, John B. Hyde of New Bedford, was com. 
2d Lieut. 

Robert A. Dillingham of New Bedford, 3d Lieut. 

Charles A. Phillips of Salem, 4th Lieut. 

Oct. 23, 1 86 1, Max Eppendorff of New Bedford was 
com. Captain. 

1862. 

Jan'y 24, 1862, Captain Max Eppendorff resigned and 
was discharged. 

Jan'y 25, 1862, First Lieutenant George D. Allen was 
promoted Captain. 

Second Lieutenant John B. Hyde was promoted ist 
Lieut. 

Third Lieutenant Robert A. Dillingham was promoted 
Junior First Lieut. 

Fourth Lieutenant Charles A. Phillips was promoted 
Second Lieut. 

Henry D. Scott of New Bedford was com. Junior 2d 
Lieut. 

062 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 



963 



July 12, 1862, First Lieutenant John B. Hyde and Junior 
First Lieutenant Robert A. Dillingham, resigned and were 
discharged. 

July 13, 1862, Second Lieutenant Charles A. Phillips 
was promoted ist Lieut. 

Junior Second Lieutenant Henry D. Scott was promoted 
Junior ist Lieut. 

Peleg W. Blake of New Bedford was com. 2d Lieut. 

Aug. I, 1862, Frederic A. Lull of Cambridge was com. 
Junior 2d Lieut. 

Oct. 17, 1862, Captain George D. Allen resigned and 
was discharged. 

Oct. 18, 1862, First Lieutenant Charles A. Phillips was 
promoted Captain. 

Junior Second Lieutenant Frederic A. Lull was promoted 
1st Lieut. 

Joseph E. Spear of Quincy was com. 2d Lieut. 

1863. 

July 30, 1863, Second Lieutenant Peleg W. Blake was 
promoted ist Lieut. 

Nathan Appleton of Boston was com. 2d Lieut. 

July 31. 1863, First Lieutenant Frederic A. Lull was 
promoted Captain of 2d Reg't. i\Iass. Heavy Artillery. 

1864. 

March 11, 1864, Second Lieutenant Joseph E. Spear was 
promoted ist Lieut. 

First Lieutenant Henry D. Scott was promoted Captain 
1 6th Mass. Battery, Light Artillery. 

Harrison O. Simonds of Boston was com. 2d Lieut. 

June 18, 1864, First Lieutenant Peleg W. Blake was 
killed in action. 

June 19, 1864. Second Lieutenant Xathan Appleton was 
promoted ist Lieut. 



964 HISTORY OF THE 

Samuel H. Hamblett of Salem was com. 2d Lieut. 

Aug. 25, 1864, First Lieutenant Nathan Appleton re- 
signed and was discharged. 

Aug. 26, 1864, Second Lieutenant Harrison O. Simonds 
was promoted ist Lieut. 

Mason W. Page of New Bedford was com. 2d Lieut. 

Oct. 3, 1864, First Lieutenant Joseph E. Spear resigned 
and was discharged. 

Oct. 4, 1864, Second Lieutenant Samuel H. Hamblett 
was promoted ist Lieut. 

Charles M. Tripp of New Bedford was com. 2d Lieut. 

1865. 

April 13, 1865, Second Lieutenant Charles M. Tripp 
resigned and was discharged. 

June 12, 1865, Captain Charles A. Phillips, First Lieut. 
Samuel H. Hamblet, Jun. First Lieut. Harrison O. 
Simonds, Second Lieut. Mason W. Page, resigned and 
were discharged. Battery mustered out. 



DISCHARGED FOR PROMOTION. 

Nov. 3, 1862, Quarter Master Sergeant Timo'thy W. 
Terry to be Second Lieutenant in 13th Mass. Battery. 

June 4, 1863, Edward E. Rice, Special Order No. 219, 
War Department, June 3, 1863, to accept a commission. 

July 3, 1863, First Lieutenant Frederic A. Lull to be 
Captain in 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery. 

July 15, 1863, Sergeant John W. Morrison discharged 
to accept a commission. 

Dec. 15, 1863, Sergeant Otis B. Smith to be First Lieu- 
tenant 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery. 

March 8, 1864, Corporal Ephraim B. Nye to be Second 
Lieutenant 14th Mass. Battery. 

March 11, 1864, First Lieutenant Henry D. Scott to be 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 965 

Captain of the i6th Mass. Battery. 

Sept. 19, 1864, Corporal Jonas Shackley and Corporal 
Elisha J. Gibbs, to be Second Lieutenants in the 4th Mass. 
Heavy Artillery. 

Oct. 27, 1864, Wallace R. Ransom to be Second Lieuten- 
ant 29th Unattached Co., Mass. Heavy Artillery. 



Twelve years after the war Captain Nathan Appleton 
and First Lieutenant John F. Murray held commissions 
in the famous and historic Battery A, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia, which in command of Captain Edward J. 
Jones went to the front Oct. i, 1862, and served nine 
months as the nth Mass. Battery. 



DIED FROM DISEASE WHILE IN SERVICE. 

June 14, 1862, Corporal Henry C. Parsons, Gaines Mills, 
Va., Typhoid fever. 

Oct. II, 1862, Corporal William G. Warren. Baltimore. 
Md., Typhoid fever. 

Nov. 28, 1862, Private A\^ilHam S. Wilcox, Falmouth, 
Va., Consumption. 

March 13, 1864, Private Philo L. Braley, Rappahannock 
Station, Va., Typhoid fever. 

March 22, 1864, Private Lewis P. Clark. Galloupe's 
Island, Boston Harbor. 

June 7, 1864, Private Abner Foster, Washington. D. C, 
Typhoid fever. 

Aug. 27, 1864, Private Alvin Faunce. Washington, D. C. 
Typhoid fever. 

Aug. 28, 1864, Private Thomas P. Atkins, Portsmouth 
Grove, R. I.. Dysentery. 

Oct. 7, 1864, Private Edwin M. Dudley, Washington. 
D. C, Heart disease. 



966 HISTORY OF THE 

Nov. lo, 1864, Private William G. Boutwell, Washing- 
ton, D. C, 

May 10, 1865, Thomas Flanagan, Washington, D. C. 

Recruit transferred from Third Mass. Battery. 

KILLED IN SERVICE. 

June 27, 1862, Gaines Mills: 
Corporal Albert F. Milliken. 
Private Edwin F. Gustine. 
Dec. 13, 1862, Fredericksburg: 
Corporal Edward M. Platts. 
July 1-3, Gettysburg: 

Private John M. Verity. Detailed from 

" Edward Fotheringham. loth N. Y. Battery. 
Henry W. Soule. 
William L. Purbeck. 
John M. Canty. 
" John F. Hathaway. 
" Martin J. Coleman. 
May 9, 1864, Laurel Hill: 
Private John W. Boynton. 

" Joseph Kierstead, 11 8th Penn. Vols. 
June 2, 1864, Bethesda Church: 
Private Frederick D. Alden. 
June 3, 1864, Bethesda Church: 

Private William H. H. Lapham. 
June 8, 1864, Chickahouiiny: 
Private William J. Sheergold. 
" Henry D. Crapo, 
" Charles P. Carling. 
June 18, 1864, Petersburg: 

First Lieutenant Peleg W. Blake. 
Private Benjamin S. Kanuse. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. or,' 

WOUNDED IN SERVICE. 

June 2y, 1862, Gaines Mills: 
Corporal John Agen. 
Private William H. Ray. 
" Charles D. Barnard. 
July I, 1862, Malvern Hill: 
Private Jacob Peacock. 
Robert King. 
Aug. 30, 1862, Second Manassas: 

Private Francis Oldis. 
Dec. 13, 1862, Fredericksburg: 

Private Robert Brand. 
July 1-3, 1863, Gettysburg: 

Private Henry G. Graffleman, loth N. Y. Battery. 
Lieutenant Henry D. Scott. 
Corporal Thomas E. Chase. 

" John Agen. 
Private John G. San ford. 
" Henry Fitzsimmons. 
" George B. Trumbull. 
" William E. Estee. 
" William H. Dunham. 
Daniel K. Shackley. 
John H. Olin. 
William A. W^augh. 
William McKern. loth N. Y. Battery. 
Nov. 27, 1863, Mine Run: 

Lieutenant Henry D. Scott. 
May 9, 1864, Laurel Hill: 

Private John ]\Iensing, ii8th Penn. \'ols. 
May 12, 1864, Spottsylz'ajiia C. H.: 
Corporal Benjamin Graham. 
Private Albion K. P. Hay den. 

" Thomas H. Mensing, 118th Penn . Vols. 



968 HISTORY OF THE 

May 25, 1864, North Anna River and Virginia Central 
R. R. 

Second Lieutenant Nathan Appleton. 
June 2, 1864, Bethesda Church: 

Private William Reynolds. 
June 8, 1864, Chickahominy: 

Private Edward F. Smith. 
" David McVey. 
June 18, 1864, Petersburg: 

Private Joseph L. Knox. 

" Alexander N. Atwood. 
July 30, 1864, Petersburg: 

Sergeant Charles F. Stiles. 
Aug. 21, 1864, Weldon Railroad: 

Sergeant Charles F. Stiles. 

Private Paesiello Emerson. 
April 2, 1865, Petersburg: 

Second Lieutenant Mason W. Page. 

Private Michael Flynn. 

PRISONERS OF WAR. 

June 27, 1862, Gaines Mills: 
Private Richard Heyes. 
" Edward F. Smith. 

Lorenzo D. Brownell. 
" Charles D. Barnard. 
Nov. 27, 1863, Mine Run: 
Private William Greeley. 



THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH MASSA- 
CHUSETTS BATTERY ASSOCIATION. 
By Brevet Captain Nathan Appleton. 

"Later the storms of rain, accompanied with thunder and lightning, 
reminding one of the battles of the years of manhood's prime, played 

round it." 

— N. A.'s Recollections of Mont Blanc. 

The Fifth Massachusetts Battery, like most of the regi- 
ments and batteries of the state, fomied an organization 
not long after the war was over. The date of ours was 
1870. 

I was away many of the early years of its existence, and 
did not attend one of the meetings until October 7th. 1S77. 
This one was held at ''Parker's," Boston, and for it in the 
dining room I loaned the lithograph of the battle of Gaines 
Mills, and the engraving of Gettysburg, the battle scene 
painted by James \\''alker though planned by Colonel John 
B. Batchelder. In these battles the Battery suffered most. 

Since the last reunion, held three years previous. Captain 
Phillips, who was President of the association, had died. 
Captain George D. Allen was chosen President for the en- 
suing year, and I was chosen Vice President together with 
Captain H. D. Scott, and Patrick Welsh. John F. Murray 
was elected Secretary, and George H. Leach Treasurer. 

THE DEATH OF MAJOR PHILLIPS. 

Charles Appleton Phillips, lx)rn in Salem, Mass., January 
31, 1841, was the son of Hon. Stephen Clarendon Phillips, 



970 HISTORY OF THE 

mayor of Salem, and member of congress from Massachu- 
setts, and grandson on the maternal side, of Margaret 
Appleton, of the Ipswich Appleton stock, who married 
Willard Peele of Salem. 

At the close of the war he resumed the study of law, and 
his death took place March 20, 1876, at Gold Hill, a small 
mining town near Virginia City, Nevada, of congestion of 
the lungs, while looking after the interests of his clients. 
His body was received in Salem Friday afternoon April 
14th, for interment in the family lot in Harmony Grove. 

At a stated meeting of the Massachusetts Commandery 
of the Military Order Loyal Legion, United States, held 
on Wednesday, April 5, 1876, at the Headquarters in Bos- 
ton, a tribute to his memory was adopted, which was after- 
wards printed. 

LOYAL LEGION TRIBUTE. 
Headquarters 

Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, 

Boston, April 10, 1876. 

Tribute 

to the memory of 
CoMP. Brevet Major Charles A. Phillips U. S. Vols. 
Late Captain Fifth Light Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer 
Artillery. 

Adopted at a Stated Meeting of this Commandery, held 
on Wednesday, April Fifth, 1876. 

As a student at Harvard, he took high rank in the Classical and 
Mathematical Departments, but left his professional studies for a 
subordinate position in the Light Artillery service. 

Of a retiring disposition, he desired no revi^ard other than the 
consciousness of duty faithfully performed, but his merits soon 
broueht him promotion. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. -jTi 

As a Battery commander, he was careful and considerate for his 
men, and asked them to incur no danger in which he did not take 
a conspicuous share. From the midst of the enemy at Gettysburg, he 
helped to draw one of his disabled pieces by hand ; advancing his 
bi-tterv by section, he drove the enemy before him at Bethesda Church ; 
fearless of danger, on an important occasion, he stood alone on the 
breastworks of Fort Sedgwick; before Petersburg, exposed to the 
hottest fire, encouraging his men and calling for "spherical case," he 
led the pioneers who cleared away the obstructions around Fort 
Mahone, in the final engagement, and closed his services with the 
war, commanding a brigade of the Reserve Artillery of the Army of 
the Potomac. 

As a soldier, his record was one of heroism ; as a citizen of industry 
and usefulness, and now, while we fondly cherish his memory, we 
deeply sympathize with his family and relatives in their bereavement. 
Resolved, That these expressions of our respect for his memory 
be entered upon the Records, and a copy be transmitted to the family 
of our deceased companion. 

John Bigelow, B'v't Major U. S. I'ols. 
Richard S. ]\Iilton, Captain U. S. Vols. 
J. Henry Sleeper, B'v't Major U. S. I 'ols. 

Committee. 
[Extract from the Minutes.] 

Charles Devens, Jr. 

B'v't Major Gen. U. S. Vols., Commander. 

Jas. B. Bell, Recorder. 
Official : 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

Part of the services on May 28, 1876, the Sunday before 
Memorial Day, attended by the Grand Army Post No. 34 
of Salem, and held at the Barton Square Unitarian Church, 
was an address by the pastor the Rev. George Batchelor, 
now (1902) editor of the "Christian Register." 

He chose for his text, Exodus xii. 14, — "This day shall 
be with you for a memorial," and in his discourse the sev- 
eral periods of Major Phillips' honoral^le career were clearly 
set forth, from his graduation from Harvard at the age of 
nineteen with the highest mathematical honors to his death. 



072 HISTORY OF THE 

With these words ends his brief but fervent eulogy : — 

"His record may be summed up by saying that from Yorktown to 
Hatcher's Run, he was never absent when his battery was engaged, and 
he exposed himself fearlessly when the danger was most imminent, and 
wherever a soldier's duty and honor called." 

On Memorial Day, 1877, in Salem, the address at 
Mechanics Hall was by the Rev. Henry W. Foote of Bos- 
ton, who, recalling to his hearers "the fair picture of the 
lives" of the soldiers of Salem who had "joined the great 
army of the dead,"' referred to Major Phillips and his 
brother Lieut. Edward W. Phillips of the 50th Mass. (in- 
fantry) who "as boys were full of glad promise, — as men 
did nobly for their country. . . . Edward, struck down in 
his bright youth by the effects of the war, — Charles, whose 
battery flamed on the heights of Malvern Hill, and through 
unnumbered battles besides. . . . No braver or more 
trusted officer served in the Army of the Potomac. Last 
year for the first time you laid flowers on his grave. . . . 
With us they live forever, as they live with God, in undying 
youth, immortal, with high incentive and proud rebuke to 
us, privileged to be household words of strength unto 
children's children." 



I attended the Ninth reunion of the Battery x^ssociation 
at Young's Hotel, in Boston, on Wednesday evening, 
October i, 1879, and was elected president of the Associa- 
tion. The vice-presidents were Captain Henry D. Scott of 
Newport, R. I., Captain F. A. Lull of Cambridge and 
Lieut. Mason W. Page of Taunton. Secretary John F. 
Murray of Cambridge. Treasurer George H. Leach of 
Boston. Relief Committee William Reynolds of Marble- 
head, Joseph Knox of Boston, Michael Hewitt of Newton. 

It was voted to have the next reunion in Boston on the 
first Wednesday of October, 1880. General A. P. Martin 
was elected an honorary member, ha\'ing been in command 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 973 

of the Artillery Brigade Fifth Army Corps when the Fifth 
Battery was in it. 

Benjamin Savery of Marlilehead for many years said 
grace at the reunions, following which Joe Knox called 
the roll from memory. See p. 134. 

The Eleventh Annual Reunion was held at Young's 
Hotel, Boston, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1881. In the circular 
sent with the call for the meeting was an extract from the 
address of the Rev. George Batchelor at Salem, May 28, 
1876, eulogizing the career of ]\Iajor Phillips and the Bat- 
tery. 

Captain Lull, who was active in this matter, wrote Octo- 
ber 7th in returning papers obtained from the family, — "I 
also enclose one of the circulars of the nth Reunion. You 
will see that the one containing Mr. Batchelor's address was 
the one we wished to get. W'e had a very successful re- 
union of the old 5th on Wednesday eve last at Young's 
Hotel. About 35 members were present. Our late Captain 
was spoken of by several members of the Battery, also by 
tw^o or three guests that were present, in very feeling 
terms. 

In fact Captain Phillips' name is revered by all the mem- 
bers of the old 5th, and is alluded to with heartfelt feelings 
by all the surviving members. 

Very respectfully 

Frederic A. Lull." 



In 1883. at the banquet at the Crawford Ilouse, Boston, 
I invited the members of the Battery to visit the Boston 
Foreign Exhibition of which I was a Director, the follow- 
ing day, which many did. The Exhibition at which the 
products of 52 countries were represented was held in the 
Mechanics Building. 

In 1890, the meeting and banquet were held at Young's 
Hotel, Boston, August 12th, at the time of the National 



974 HISTORY OF THE 

Encampment of the Grand Army of the RepubHc. 

In 1891, again at "Young's" October 7th, when I pre- 
sented the members with a reproduction of a photograph of 
Captain C. A. Philhps, I had struck off for the occasion. 

The Twenty-Second Annual Reunion was held at New 
Bedford August 9th, 1892. Clambake dinner at Fort 
Phoenix, Fairhaven, at one p. m., and supper and business 
meeting at New Bedford. After the clambake we were 
photographed in a group. 

DEATH OF LIEUT. PAGE. 

After the war closed Lieut. Mason W. Page pursued 
various avocations in Cleveland, Ohio, New Bedford, and 
Lynn, Mass., where he died September 29, 1893. He is 
buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford. 



I did not attend the reunion in 1894, which was held at 
Salem Willows, Salem, on Wednesday, Aug. 22d. Nearly 
50 members were present. Captain George D. Allen of 
Maiden was elected President; John S. Doane of Boston 
first Vice President, Wm. W. Carsley, Fairhaven, second 
Vice President. George L. Newton, Weymouth, Secretary, 
Thomas E. Chase, Boston, Treasurer. Executive Commit- 
tee J. A. Wood, Edward T. Wilson, and George L. New- 
ton. Relief Committee James H. Saxon, W. W. Carsley, 
John S. Doane and George L. Newton. 

The Relief Committee was instructed to decorate the 
graves of deceased members, and it was voted to allow 
brothers and sons of deceased members to become honorary 
members. 

The reunion of 1895, was held at New Bedford August 
28th, 44 members being present. Speeches were made by 
Capt. John B. Hyde, Capt. Henry D. Scott, Jonas Shack- 
ley, Benjamin Story, Hon. Rufus A. Soule brother of 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 97:, 

Henry W. Soule, W'm. F. Nye brother of Lieut. Ephraim 
B. Nye, Frank A. Milliken and myself. ]Mr. Nye was 
sutler of the Battery and entertained us. Judge Milliken 
was elected associate member. His brother Albert F. 
Milliken was the first one killed. 

The oldest member present was Stephen Tovvnsend of 
Fall River aged 71. the youngest was Wm. H. Dunham (jf 
Fairhaven aged 52. The only death of the year was 
Michael Hewitt of Newton. Officers elected were Capt. 
John B. Hyde, President, John F. Murray and J. Augustus 
Wood Vice Presidents. Thomas E. Chase Treasurer and 
Geo. L. Newton, Secretary. The Executive Committee 
were J. S. Doane. W. A. Waugh, William Reynolds, and 
Geo. L. Newton. 

The Twenty-Sixth Annual Reunion took place on 
Wednesday Oct. 7, 1896, at Young's Hotel. I was at that 
time at Kohala on the large island of Hawaii, where I went 
with Attorney General Smith. John F. Murray w'as elected 
President. John E. Dyer and W. A. Waugh Vice Presi- 
dents. Thomas E. Chase Treasurer and Geo. L. Newton 
Secretary. The Executive Committee were E. T. Wilson, 
Geo. H. Chadwick and J. Augustus Wood. 

In a postscript of a letter to me written by Mr. Geo. L. 
Newton of Weymouth, Jan'y 4, 1897. he said with refer- 
ence to the losses l)y death and the next reuni(^n : — "W'e 
missed you at our annual reunion. I learned by the press 
afterw^ard that you w^ere out of the country. We have lost 
by death the last year five members, as follows : — Sergt. 
\Yra. B. Pattison. ^^'m. \\'. Carsley (Carsley died in New 
Bedford, July 4, 1896. from a frightful wound received 
while ramming in the charge of one of the brass field pieces. 
— previously mentioned as owned by that city — for firing 
the noonday salute. He was taken to the hospital and died 
in a few hours). Joseph Whitcher. T^eonard Eutlier. and 



976 HISTORY OF THE 

Thomas Downey. Our next reunion is to be held at New 
Bedford." 

This occurred Sept. 29, 1897. Headquarters at Union 
Veteran Legion Rooms, Union Street, New Bedford, din- 
ner at the Mansion House, E. T. Wilson was elected 
President. Geo. L. Newton Secretary, Thomas E. Chase 
Treasurer. Ejcecutive Committee T. E. Chase, F. P. 
Washburn. 

Wednesday evening August 17, 1898, the Association 
met and dined at the American House, Boston. It was the 
Twenty-Eighth Annual Reunion. Outside was a furious 
storm of wind and rain, and between thunder claps the 
movement to have a history of the Fifth Mass. Battery 
written w^as inaugurated, and a committee composed of 
Captain Henry D. Scott, Captain John F. Murray and 
myself, was appointed to write and publish it. I was made 
chairman of the committee. 

Captain Henry D. Scott was elected President of the 
Association for the ensuing year. Thomas E. Chase, 
Treasurer, Geo. L. Newton Secretary. Executive Com- 
mittee J. A. Wood, F. P. Washburn. 

The Reunion of 1899 was on August 2d at New Bed- 
ford. Business meeting at 11.30 at the Union Veteran 
Legion Rooms, and a clambake afterwards under the trees 
paid for by Mr. Nye, to whom we gave a vote of thanks and 
cheers. There were about 35 members present. 

The Reunion of 1900 was on August 22d at Field's 
Point, Providence, R. L A good clambake and an interest- 
ing meeting. Officers elected were: President J. Augustus 
Wood New Bedford ; Vice President James D. Allen, New 
Bedford, Secretary George L. Newton; Treasurer Thomas 
E. Chase. Executive Committee Wm. Reynolds, Lemuel 
A. Washburn, E. T. Wilson. 

There had been one death since the last meeting, that of 
George H. Chadwick. 



FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. UTT 

DEATH OF CAPTAIN GEO. D. ALLEX. 

Captain George D. Allen died at the Emergency Hospital, 
Boston, shortly before noon November 5th, 1900. from tlie 
effects of injuries sustained in an elevator accident at 7 
Exchange Place, on the way to make a business call alx)Ut 
9 o'clock that morning. He had resided in Maiden ever 
since the war. The funeral took place in that city on the 
8th and was attended by delegations of the various organi- 
zations military and civil of which Captain Allen was a 
member, and no of the employees of the William Allen 
and Sons Boiler Works. 

Officers of the Knights Templars were present in uni • 
form. The Masonic ceremonies were under the direction 
of Eminent Commander .Vrthur H. Burton, and the bearers 
were high officials of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island, and the Worcester County Commandery. 
The floral tributes were extremely abundant and elalxjrate; 
among them a maltese cross. The interment was in the 
family tomb in Salem Street Cemetery, Maiden. 



At the Thirty-First Annual Reunion the assembly took 
place in New Bedford at the Union Veteran Legion Rooms 
at 11.30, August 6th, 1901. I was unable to be present. 

Four deaths were reported during the year: — Captain 
George D. Allen, Christopher C. Allen, Rodney S. Camp- 
bell and William Roberts. 

The committee on the history was augmented b>- the 
appointment of Thomas E. Chase and George L. Newton. 

William F. Nye was elected an honorary member of the 
Association. 

Officers elected were: President Captain Henry D. Scott; 
Vice Presidents William H. Baxter of New York and Jonas 
Shackley of Ouincy, ^Mass.i Secretary George L. Newton; 
Treasurer, Thomas E. Chase. Executive Board William 



978 HISTORY OF THE 

Reynolds of Marblehead, Mass., Edward T. Wilson of New 
Bedford, and Capt. John F. Murray of Cambridge. 

At 3 o'clock a shore dinner was enjoyed at the summer 
cottage of Edward T. Wilson at Padanaram, and a paper 
relating to his experience in the Army as sutler, was read by 
William F. Nye. There were about 50 members present. 

The Reunion of 1902, took place Saturday, August 23d, 
at Marblehead, Mass. About 35 members assembled on 
Brown's Island for a clambake dinner. 

At the business meeting the following were elected offi- 
cers of the Association for the ensuing year: — 

President, William Reynolds. 

Vice Presidents, Wm. H. Peacock, Lemuel Washburn. 

Secretary, Geo. L. Newton. 

Treasurer, Thomas E. Chase. 

Committee on next Reunion, Wm. H. Dunham, Paesiello 
Emerson, Thomas B. Stantial, Edward T. Wilson. 

The following were elected honorary members: R. C. 
Bridges, John Ingalls, S. H. Brown, W. Reynolds, Thomas 
Ingalls, Wm. A. Nye. 

It was voted to hold the next Reunion at New Bedford. 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



, 645, 



[Names marked "3d Mass. 
Mass. Battery at various times.] 

A" 

Agen, John, Corporal, 79, 320, 326, 43' 
967. 

Albro, James H., 76, 81. 

Alden, Frederick D., 80, 437, 768, 771, 772, 
793, 857, 858, 966. 

Allen, Christopher C, Corporal, 4, 75, 76, 
80, 143, 148, 140, 234, 977. 

Allen, Elisha, 3d Massachusetts, Corporal. 

Allen, George D., Captain, 5, 70, 72, 73, 74, 
82-86, 94, 116, 122, 133, '5, '9, 143, 156, '7, '9, 
161, '2, '8, 170, '2, '4, 180, 196,'7, 203, 216, 234, 
245, '6, '9, 250, '1, '5, 263, 278, 282, '3, 293. '7, 
365, '6, '7, 372, 392, 412, 470, 471, 560, 962, 
'3, '9, 974, 977. 

Allen, James D., Quartermaster Clerk, 76, 
80, 772, 976. 

Almy, Andrew W., Corporal, 79, 437, 768, 
772, 793, 797. 

Alton, John H., 76, 81, 437. 

Alton, Joseph, B., 76, 81, 698. 

Appleton, Nathan, Lieutenant, Brevet-Cap- 
tain, 21, 62, 54, 55, 679, 693, 696, 698, 699, 
700, 702, 703, 705-708, 710-712, 714-716, 721, 
723, 724, 726-729, 732, 733, 736-738, 743, 745, 
747-749, 751-7.53, 755, 757-760, 762, 764, 766- 
772, 774, 775, 784-786, 788-790, 792-795, 797- 
803, 806-808, 816, 818-820, 823, 825, 826, 830, 
833, 834, 838, 839, 844, 846, 847-850, 864, 876 
882, 885, 909, 96.3-965, 968, 969. 

Atkins, Nathaniel H., Corporal. 

Atkins, Thomas P., 878, 965. 

Atwood, Alexander N. or A., 877, 878, 968. 

Austin, Isaac C. 

Aymer, Frank, 3d Massachusetts. 

B 

Baker, Harry M. 

Baldwin, James W., 81. 

Balfe, Thomas. 

Ball, Volney, 3d Massachusetts. 

Barnard, Charles D., 76, 80, 320, 325,347, 348, 

393, 397, 967, 908. 
Barry, William, 87, 553, 643. 
Baur, Ignaz. 



were transferred to the Fifth Mass. Battery from the Third 



Baxter, Francis A. 

Baxter, William H., Sergeant, 82, 87, 201, 216, 
217, .347, .378, 479, 480, 511, 642, 822, 923, 977. 
Blake, Peleg W., Lieutenant, 76, 81, 82, 103, 
234, 244, 325,326,339, 342,344, 376, 390,401, 
404, 408, 436, 439, 442, 493, 501, 518, 622, 
531, 540, 650, 553, 556, 559, 563, 6b7, 668, 611, 
616, 639, 693, 696, 697, 703, 708, 737, 760, 766- 
769-771, 784, 793, 794, 797, 847, 867, 862, 877, 
879, 882, 885, 963, 966. 

Blanchard, Amos, 87, 202, .'J47, 759, 796. 

Bliss, Cornelius E., 442, 444, 784. 

Boutwell, William G., 3d Massachusetts, 898, 
966. 

Bowman, Benedict, 3d Massachusetts. 

Boynton, John W., 818, 966. 

Braley, Joseph G., 75, 80. 

Braley, Philo L., 76, 80, 788, 965. 

Brand, Robert, 442, 444, 497, 500, 502, 505, 607, 
967. 

Brizzee, William A.. Jr., 3d Massachusetts. 

Brock, John H., 3d Massachusetts. 

Brown, George, 3d Massachusetts, 898. 

Brown, Edward A., 87. 

Brown, Warren W., 87, 796. 

Brownell, Lorenzo D., 81,320, 340, 341, 968. 

Bryson, Peter, 3d Massachusetts. 

Buckley, John. 

Bugbee, William L., 3d Massachusetts. 

Burke, Thomas, 78. 

Burkis, James M., 87. 

Burleson, Charles, 3d Massachusetts. 

Burns, Joseph, 3d Massachusetts, 946, 947. 

Burt, Benjamin T., 79, 559, 727, 849. 

Butler, Edwin J., 79, 766, 773. 

Butts, Squire W., 76, 8l. 

C 

Cahill, George H., 3d Massachusetts. 
Campbell, Rodney S., Corporal, 676, 977. 
Canty, John ^^, 80, 66f.-f*0, 966. 
Carling, Charles P., 3d Masssachuetts, 8(", 

9t^. 
Carney, Thomas, 79. 
Carroll, Joseph. 



980 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



Carsley, William \V., 79, 1-^4, 796, 863, 974, 
975. 

Carson, Francis, 79. 

Gary, Richarr), 3d Massachusetts. 

Case, Nathan. 

Caswell, William W., 76, 81, 234, 359, 773. 

Cekiell, Ezekiel. 

Chadwick, George H., 75, 80, 975, 976. 

Chamberlain, W. H., 772. 

Champlin, Edward, SO, 437. 

Chase. Thomas E., Corporal, 83, 87, 90, 91, 
100, 104, 107, 122, 125, 129, 135, 136, 138, 
145, 179, 200, 209-211, 217, 222, 226, 234, 238, 
242, 243, 251, 255, 259, 275, 285, 302, 307, 
309, 310, 344, 359, 378, 384, 391, 406, 412-416, 
418, 425, 428, 430, 432-434, 439, 449, 451, 
453, 456, 467, 471-473, 475, 476, 481, 483, 4S5, 
490, 491, 493-496, 513, 516-520, 526, 528, 531, 
534, 538, 549-552, 554, 555, 557, 659, 561, 
563-565, 567, 572-577, 579, 580, 583, 584, 587, 
590, 591,593-599, 601, 611, 644, 656, 676, 680, 
684, 686, 967, 974-978. 

Clark, Charles A., Corporal, 79. 

Clark, Joseph W., Sergeant, 79, 171, 234,706, 
907. 

Clarke, Lewis P., 965. 

Clark, Samuel, 80. 

Colbath, Charles H. 

Cole, John H..81. 

Coleman, Martin J., 593, 645, 656-661, 9G6. 

Col ton, Daniel J. 

Conant, Sherman W., ?d Massachusetts. 

Cook, JohnG., Jr., 88. 

Cooper, H. D , 437. 

Cox, Albert T,, Corporal. 

Cox, Henry A , tt7. 

Cox, James, 80 

Crapo, Henry D., 79, 437, 759, 867, 966. 

Crockett. George F., 3d Massachusetts. 

Crosby, George. 

Currier, Hazen. 

Cushman, Thomas A., 76, 81. 



D 

Dickerman, Joseph C, 87. 

Dillingham, Robert A., Lieutenant, 75, 76, 78, 
82, 91, 94, 112, llf., 136, 139, 153, 172, 174, 188, 
189, 210, 211, 213, 217, 220, 245, 263, 264, 273, 
290, 296, 297, 310,312, 336, 347, 372,376,388, 
393, 962, 9t;3. 

Doane, John S., 642, 897, 974, 975. 

Doherty, Bernard, 87, 593, 645. 

Doherty Edward. 

Donegan, Thomas. 

Donovan, Stephen, 81. 

Dorety, Joseph H. 

Doyle, Patrick, 80. 

Downey, Thomas, 3d Massachusetts, 97(). 



Drake, William M., 3d Massachusetts. 

Drew, John T., 76, 81, 709. 

Dudley, Edward M., 3d Massachusetts, 796, 
965. 

Duff, Robert P., 3d Massachusetts. 

Duffy, Frank. 

Dugan, Michael, 79. 

Dunham, William H., 79, 234, 437, 759, 796, 
863, 967, 975, 978. 

Dyer, John E., 79, 526, 531, 553, 536, 538, 539, 
548, 550-563, 555, 557-560, 514, 572-578, 580, 
581, hVZ, 587, 591-593, 596-600, 611, 660, 694, 
696, 715, 720, 727, 730, 732, 735, 744, 750, 751, 
765, 766, 768-774, 784, 785, 789, 791-793, 796, 
798, 800, 801, 807, 817, 819, 822, 826, 833, 834, 
838, 856-858, 864, 8G5, 867, 876-878, 883, 885, 
886, 888, 890-892, 917, 918, 923, 975. 



Eagan, John, 630, e37, 749. 
Edwards, William, 3d Massachusetts. 
Emerson, Paesiello, 867, 968, 978. 
Eppendorff, Max, Captain, 77, 78, 82, 83, 90, 

93, 94, 108, 115, 117, 120-122, 962. 
Estee, William E., 87, 110, 045, 656, 657, 967. 
Evans, William O. 



Fairhuret or Fairhurst, 10th New York Bat- 
tery, 664. 

Faunce, Alvin. 898, 965. 

Feltham, Samuel- 
Ferguson, John. 

Ferris, Anson E., Corporal, 78, 82. 

Ferris, James. 

Fisher, Rinaldo R. 

Fitzsimmons, Henry, SI, 200, 045, 714, 878, 967. 

Flanagan, Thomas, 3d Massachusetts, 898, 96!". 

Flynn, Michael, 76, 78, 437, 947, 9.')4, 968. 

Follett, Charles A., Corporal 3d Massachu- 
setts. 

Ford, Henry A. 

Ford, Jacob W., 3d Massachusetts. 

Foster, Abner, 965. 

Fotheringham, Edward, 10th New York 
Battery, 657, 661, 664, 966. 

Freeborn, George H., 87, 438. 

F'uller, William. 



Gale, Mortier, 4, 87, 550, 593, 759, 867. 

Gallagher, Edward. 

Gardner, Josiah W., 76, 80. 

Gastoo, John. 

Gay, Charles D. 

Gibbs, Elisha J., Corporal, 79, 567, 573, 759, 

760, 797, 825, 832, 918, 926, 965. 
Gifford, George W. 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



981 



Gifford, Henry M., Bugler, 4. 

Gilbert, Jacob A., TH, 4;{«. 

Graffleman, Henry G., 10th New York Bat- 
tery, t>l>4, 9(57. 

Gragg, John T., 3d Massachusetts. 

Graham, Benjamin, Corporal, t>5, "'J, 234, 43H, 
567, 1)31, G;{7-(i43, (JCO, (iOl, HlH, 821, 822, 967. 

Graves, Henry B., lid Massachusetts. 

Greeley, William, 76, W), 657, 746, 968. 

Griffin, Thomas. 

Grogan, Martin. 

Groves, Gardner, 234, 575. 

Grows, David Henry, 5, 65, 87, 97, 99, 101, 
105, 107, 108, 110, HI, 114, 121-125, 129, 132, 
134, 136, 137, 142, 144-146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 
157, 160, 166, 168, 169, 173, 176, 185, 187, 191, 
194, 198, 203, 206, 210, 211, 218, 221, 227, 233, 
237, 242, 245, 251, 253, 256-258, 262, 264, 265, 
268, 270, 274-276, 291-293, 3(K), 302, 304, 307, 
308, 313, ;«7, 363, 379, 382, 383, 391,393,396, 
397, 399, 401, 404, 406, 407, 411, 415, 416, 425, 
432, 4;«. 

Gunning, Thomas. 

Gunning, William, 80, 4:», 774. 

Gustine, Edward F., 88, 320,325, 334,347,352, 
353, 966. 

Gwinn, Thomas H., Sergeant, 796. 

H 

Hackett, William C. 

Hale, Alonzo J. 

Hall, Joseph, 79, 122. 

Hamblet or Hamblett, Samuel H., Lieuten- 
ant, 847, 897, 909, 924, 964. 

Hanley, Henry, 3d Massachusetts. 

Hardy, Samuel A., 75, 80. 

Harlow, George A. 

Hart, John C., 78. 

Hart, Patrick, 3d Massachusetts. 

Haskins, Alpheus, Corporal, 75, 80, 234, 283, 
715, 760. 

Hathaway, John F., 76, 81, 438, (>45, 658, ms, 
651, 966. 

Hathaway, Joseph R., 76, 81. 

Hathaway, William, Jr., 80. 

Hayden, Albion K. P., 4, 79, 6:^8, (^40, 641, 
643, 759, 821, 822, 848, 967. 

Hayden, William A., M Massachusetts. 

Hayes, Joseph, M Massachusetts, 898. 

Heyes, Richard, 76, 81, 320, 34.3, 406, IHW. 

Healey, George F., 81. 

Hewitt, Michael, 7t), 80, 202, 594, 972, 975. 

Higgins, Thomas, 76, 79. 

Hiller, John G., 8(18, 877. 

Hodgkins or Hodgins, John H., 81. 

Hosley, Andrew, 4. 

Hovey, Augustus. 

Huckins, Alonzo K., 3d Massachusetts. 



Hughes, Thomas. 

Hunt, George S., 3d Massachusetts, 89>*. 

Hunt, Ira J., .'Jd Massachusetts, 89«. 

Hyde, John B., Lieutenant, 69-72, 74-78, 82, 
91, 94, 95, 116, 1:59, 1.5.3, 172, 174, 18(>, 195, 
198. 211, 217, 221, 245, 246, 2(14, 27<;, 277,2'.t<l, 
3(K), ;j01, 310, 315, 319, 320, 322, 324, 3:n ,334, 
;{.'«), :i37, 347, 366, 369, 370, 372, 373, .'ITS, 370, 
.■JH4, 388, 389, 392, 393, 962, iHi'i, 974, 975. 



Jay, Charles F., 80, .340. 

Johnson, Alfred J., 3d Massachusetts. 

Johnson, George H., First Sergeant, 82, 87, 
119, 148, 712, 771, 8(K). 

Johnston, Leonard F., Corporal, .'id Massa- 
chusetts. 

Jones, Nathaniel. 

Jones, Thomas, 946. 

Jordan, Samuel R., 78, 43H. 

K 

Kanuse, Benjamin S., 70, 81, 877, 878, 880, 900. 

Kay, James, Sergeant, 79, 4.38, 640, (>41, 643, 
8,56, 907. 

Kiel, E. E., 438. 

Kierstead, Joseph, ll8th Pennsylvania In- 
fantry, 818, 819, '.h;6. 

King, Henry. 

King, Robert, 76, 81, ,37", 373, 774, 801, ;h>7. 

Knowles, William, 3d Massachusetts. 

Knox, Joseph L., 87, 111, 134, 170, 178, 2ta. 
266, 3(Ht, 393, 760, 877, 878, IMW, 972, 973. 



Langley, John, 76, 80. 

Lapham, Frederick K., Jr., 8.S. 

Lapham, William H. H., 8.8,3.39, .378, 392,513, 
.V.Ki, 858, 8C>.3, 864, IMi. 

Lascon, James H. 

Leach, George H., 87, 2»4, :MI2, 9<;9, 972. 

Leach, Jacob H., 3d Massachusetts. 

Loomis, Alonzo O. 

Lull, Frederick A., Lieutenant, «2, 87, l;«i, 
148, .3itO, 401, 407, 4.39, 442, 447, 477, 490, 491, 
502, 525, .5.5.'>..'')57, 5.59. .567, 573, 574, 5'.Hi, 597, 
627, 6t55, 693, 698, 963, 904, 972, 973. 

Luther, Leonard, 975. 

M 

Mack, John F., 88, 200, 759. 
Macomber, Charles H., 80, 130, 349, 350. 
Macomber, George W., 655. 
Mahan, Frederick W., :!d Massachusetts. 
Mahan, George 1 ., ;fd Massachusetts. 
Maloney, David N., .'W Massachusetts. 
Manchester, George F., 79, 325, 494, .'Will. 
Martis, William A., M Massachusetts, <f.'. 



982 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



Martis, Brooks B., Corporal, 3d Massachu- 
setts. 

Masterson, John, 3d Massachusetts. 

Matoney, David N., 3d Massachnsetts. 

Matthews, David A., Corporal, 3d Massachu- 
setts. 

Matthews, Robert F., Corporal, 3d Massa- 
chusetts. 

McCarthy, Eugene, 3d Massachusetts. 

McCartney, John, 3d Massachusetts. 

McClellan, John. 

McCue, Michael. 

McCully, George, 7.5, 80. 

McKern or McKeren, William, 10th New 
York Battery, 0(;4, 734, 967. 

McVey, David, 81, 111, 'im, 438, 867, 968. 

Mensing, John, 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, 
818, 967. 

Mensing, Thomas H., Il8th Pennsylvania In- 
fantry, 8i!l, 822, 967. 

Miller, Robert, 79. 

Milliken, Albert F., Corporal, 80, 320, 325, 
334, 340, 347-3-50, 966, 975. 

Mitchell, Edward, 75, 80. 

Moncrief, Robert M. 

Mondorf, John, 637, 796. 

Moore, Alexander, 79. 

Morgridge, Charles H., Sergeant, 78, 82, -119 
343, 481, 599, 645, 766. 

Morrison, John W., Sergeant, 87, 234, 442, 
552, 564, 964. 

Morrison, Joseph J., 88. 

Munroe, J., 438. 

Murphy, James, 3d Massachusetts. 

Murphy, John, enlisted 1862. 

Murphy, John, enlisted 1864. 

Murphy, Thomas. 

Murphy, Thomas J., 3d Massachusetts. 

Murphy, Walter, 3d Massachusetts. 

Murray, John F., 88, 438, 676, 677, 965, 969, 
972, 975, 976, 978. 

N 

Neild, James, 79. 

Newhall, William B., Sergeant, 87, 200, 797. 

Newhall, William H. 

Newton, George L., Corporal, 87, 436, 438, 
655, 797, 974-978. 

Nichols, William H., Corporal, 3d Massachu- 
setts. 

Nye, Ephraim B., Corporal, 80, 82, 234, 302, 
343, 359, 442, 520, 529, 530, 656, 698, 701, 
703, 706, 768, 785, 801, 942, 9()4, 975. 

O 

O'Brien, John.' 
O'Brien, William. 
O'Connell, Daniel, 734. 



O'Hara, Patrick, 55.5. 

Oldis, Francis, 78, 423, 438, 967. 

Olin, John H., 656, 769, 796, 967. 



Page, Mason W., Lieutenant, 75, 80, 82, 148, 
149, 234, 262, 325, 343, 347, 553, 555, 557, 
596, 642, 758, 795, 796, 917, 923, 924, 942, 
fl43, 945-948, 954, 957, 964, 968, 972, 974. 

Parsons", Henry C, Corporal, 88, 300, 965. 

Pattison, Louis E., Clerk, 83, 88, 344, 346, 
347. 423, 424, 4.38, 611, 642, 6.54, 696, 735, 923. 

Pattison, William B., Sergeant, 82, 87, 14«, 
346, 351, 424, 438, 442, 552, 561, 563, 596, 
637-639, 642, 975. 

Paxton, James H., 80. 

Peacock, Jacob, 79, 370, 373, 967. 

Peacock, William H., Quartermaster Ser- 
geant, 22, 51, 73, 75, 81, 82, 87, 89, 148, 196, 
200, 201, 236, 325, 433, 472, 503, 509, 549, 
555, 560, 584, 593, 594, 596, 611, 637, &15, 
655, 684, 696, 698, 709, 723, 756, 766, 773, 
783, 791, 801, 818, 826, 832, 833, 864, 867, 
876, 885-887, 889, 891, 897, 898, 917, 921, 923, 
978. 

Pedrick, Benjamin T. 

Peirce, David B., 76, 81. 

Petty, Luther, 78. 

Phillips, Charles A., Captain, Brevet Major, 
6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 33, 36, 39, 40, 45, 47. 48, 
60, 76, 82, 83, 91, 93,94, 95, 99, 107, 111, 112, 
116, 118, 125, 130, 131, 135, 137, 139, 140, 
146, 148, 150, 151, 153, 159, 161, 167, 170, 
174, 181, 185, 188, 190, 192, 198, 199, 205, 
208, 209-213, 217, 218, 220-222, 224, 227, 231- 
234, 239, 240, 242, 243, 245, 249, 254, 257, 260, 
261, 263-266, 269, 270, 272, 278, 282-284, 293, 
294, 296, 297, 299, 300-303, 305, 307, 310, 311, 
323, 331-334, .337, 346, 347, 3&1, 370, 376, 377, 
379, 389-391, 393, 395, 397, 398, 399, 402-404, 
407, 408, 411, 413-417, 419, 425, 428, 4.31, 
433-443, 445, 447, 450, 451, 452, 454,455, 456, 
467-477, 481, 485, 487, 488, 491, 496, 498, 505, 
508, 517, 518, 520, 523, 526, 529, 531, 533, 536, 
539, 548, 549, 551-561, 563, 564, 565, 568, 
572-575, 577, 578, 580-583, 586, 587, 590, 592, 
593, 595-601, 611, 613, 615, 616, 619, 623, 628- 
635, 638-641, 643, 644, 646, 647, 6.52, 654, 655, 
660-663, 665-669, 671, 672, 674, 676, 679, 688- 
691, 693. 696, 697,699, 701-704, 706, 708, 712, 
714, 715, 718, 729, 734, 738, 739, 743, 746, 748, 
754, 755, 758, 759-762, 767. 768, 769. 771-774, 
778, 785, 792, 793, 794, 797-800, 815, 817, 820, 
821, 835-838, 848, 857, 859, 861, 862, 863, 866, 
868, 875, 878-882, 884, 886, 887, 888, 891, 
893-897, 904, 905, 907, 915-918, 921, 924, 935, 
937-943, 945-947, 953-960, 962, 963, 964, 969- 
974. 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



983 



Phillips, Leo. 

Phippen, Edward A., Jr., 88, 849. 

Pilling, John, 78, 714. 

Pinder, William, 79, 732. 

Place, Thomas, 76, 81. 

Plagne, William W. 

Platts, Kdward M., Corporal, 88, 496-.5(HI, 

502, 5(1.1, 507, 5()it, 51(1, KB, iXifi. 
Poole, George W., Corporal, 4, XM, 2(»(>, 75'J. 
Potter, George, Jr., .'id Massachusetts. 
Prescott, Francis .-V., Clerk, 88. 
Preston, John. 
Proctor, George O., Corporal, 87, 'AVI, 581, 

733, 7t)H-77(), 773, 774, 785. 
Purbeck, William L., .I-W, (>4(), G41, 045, (),5U, 



Quillin, Philip T., 7;i. 



Ransom, Wallace R., 3d Massachusetts, .Ser- 
geant, 9(B. 

Ransom, William, 3d Massachusetts. 

Ray, William H., 80, 320, 325, 34'J, %7. 

Reed, Andrew, 3d Massachusetts. 

Remington, Lysander F., 3d Massachusetts, 
Sergeant. 

Reynolds, William, 818, 819, ><57, 858, 802, 
908, 972, 975, 97(!, 978. 

Rice, Edward E., ■^^, 438, 555, 598, 904. 

Riley, Morris, .3d Massachusetts. 

Roberts, William, 947, 977. 

Robinson, James, 70, XI. 

Robinson, John R., .'id Massachusetts, 898. 

Rowe, Amos, .'id Massachusetts. 



Sampson, Benjamin. 

Sanderson, Samuel, 81. 

Sanford, John G., 79, 430, 031, 045, 070, 784, 
907. 

Savery, Benjamin, 973. 

Saxner, William, HO. 

Saxon, James H., 974. 

Schonhutte, William. 

Scott, Henry D., Lieutenant, 75, 78, 82, 100, 
135, 139, 140, 14H, 150, 107, 170, 172, 174, 180, 
199, 234, 245, 209, 284, 287, 2<t8-301, 303, 310, 
327, 32<), :«0, .3:59, 340, 347, 372, 375, 382, .3Ki, 
390, 393, 397, 404, 408, 41.3, 417, 428-4.31, 4;«>, 
439, 441, 442, 4,50, 451, 4.55, 407, 4(^8, 470, 478, 
479, 490, 500, 501, 503, 510, 522, ,528, 629, 550- 
561, 563-505, 567, 5tW, 570-575, 577-579, 581, 
583, 587, 590-593, 595-600, 611, 017, 624, 625, 
627, 62t), 037, 038, 045, 053, (!5«, («9, 662, 608, 
669. 070, 077, (i89, 093,090, 714, 710, 719, 721, 



727, 7.32, 7:J5, 7.37, 743, 74«i, 747, 7.541, 751, 75a. 
7.50, 700, 707, 770, 7k5, lm, 7HM, 7;m», 7<rj,' 7m 
H04, 9.50, 902-9(v5, !t»i7, IMRI, <J72, 1(74' !(7(i' .J77' 

Shackley, Daniel K., 442, 444, .5.15, 0.50, IMi". 

Shackley, Jonas, Corporal, 442, 444, 471, 482, 
490, 491, 510, RW;, Wi.), Oil, 616, (OT-IMO, tM2, 
tH3, 0.59, 000, 0!HJ, (!!HJ, 710, 7lH. 727, 731,' rXl ' 
7.52, 7(;0, H02,H07, K21, M24, KM, K.57, XM, Wh'. 
S07, M7ti, KKl, twa, KHO, H'Xi, 9(H, IKI5, W, WW, 
91K, 920, 9ta, 074, 977. 

Shannon, Jeremiah. 

Shaw, George, 7«, :«X), 301, 712. 

Shaw, Horatio E., iW, 339, 378. 

Shaw, Luther F., 865. 

Sheergold, Willliam J., Wi7, 900. 

Sheerin, James. 

Shepard, James T., 79. 

Sheridan, Charles. 

Shewonsees, Louis. 

Simonds, Harrison O., Lieutenant, K2, 87, 124, 

1.33, i;(5, i;«;, 143, 152, \m, 212, 2IH, 251, 2*53', 

200, 3m, 325, .320, .-$41, 34«, .303, 401, .5-.Ki, .599* 
643, 758, 700, 797, 910, 924, 936, 938, 940-IH2, 
955. 950, 96,3, 964. 
Simonds, Warren, 88. 
Skillin, Howard A., 3d Massachusetts, 796. 
Skinner, Charles E., 8«. 
Sloane, Henry. 
Smith, Benjamin, F., 79, 759. 
Smith, Edward F., 75, XO, 320, ;»;(, MWi, 774 

867, 9(W. 
Smith, George W., 7(i, 7H. 
Smith, Otis B., Sergeant, 82, 87, i;«i, 148, 19»i, 
325, 326, STA, :W4, 520, 552, 574, 575, 583, (Bl, 
657, 693, 7.59, Hi^3, 964. 
Soule, Henry W.. 78, 631, ('>45, 656, 057, 0«5I, 

963, 965. 
Spear, Joseph Edward, Lieutenant, H7. 148, 
149, 201, 213, 2.37, 2.50. ilK, '277, .'W!, .337. ;M0, 
:«3, 370-37X. .'«»2, 442, 470, 4M0, 507, 519-5-21, 
52H, 5.54, .557-5.59, 570, 571, 573, 575, 5'.t»i, ,V.t7, 
017, t>57, 693, 7tW, 715, 7'26, 7r>5, 70tl, 701, 7(>K, 
794. 8(H». »03, 8(M, 862, 873, 882, Wrj, 917, <.r23, 
!)0.3, 9(>4. 
Spencer, Albert L., 3d Massachusetts. 
Stantial, Thomas B., 83, 88, 3'.M, 978. 
Stetson, Charles E., .'Sd Massachusetts. 
Stetson, Henry, 3d Massachusetts. 
Stiermberg, Bernard. 
Stiles, Charles F., Sergeant, 87, 5l>4, 032, 7lHi, 

797, 894, '.Kt5, ".H!8. 
Story, Benjamin F., 88, 20(», 203, 561, WW. 

7.57, 974. 
Sullivan, James, 3d Massachusetts. 
Sullivan, Michael, 7ii, 81. 
Sweeney, William, 80. 
Sweetser, Stephen. 



984 



ROSTER AND INDEX. 



Tattersall, Richard 

Terry, Timothy \V., Quartermaster Sergeant, 

75, 76, 7H, i<2, UH, 119, 245, 279, 441.;, 447, 

558, 559, 9ti4. 
Thomas, George H. 
Thomas, Jefferson, 3d Massachusetts. 
Townsend, Stephen, 7t5, 559, 865, 975. 
Tripp, Charles M., Lieutenant, 8, 117, 201), 

826, 907, 924, 9()4. 
Tripp, Christopher B., 76, 81, 397. 
Tripp, James A., 79, 117. 
Trumbull, George B., Corporal, 555, 559, 645, 

658, 771, 967. 
Tucker, John C, Bugler, 4, 87, 4:!8, 530, 616, 

848. 
Tufts, Henry, 3d Massachusetts. 
Turner, Thomas, 3d Massachusetts, Sergeant. 
Turner, William, 7^. 
Tynan, Lot, 76, 8t. 



Verity, John W., 10th New York Battery, 

657, 664, 966. 
Vogle, Philip. 

W 

Waddington, John, 79, 43-<, 5.59. 
Warren, James L., 76, 81 

Warren, William G., Corporal, 82, 88, 340, 
341, 442, 965. 



Washburn. Francis P., 3, 76, 81, 341, 383, 386, 

(i43, 923, 976. 
Washburn, Lemuel A., 80, 202, 788, 976, 978. 
Washburn, Seth, 32d Massachusetts Infantry. 
Waterson, James, .'M Massachusetts, 898. 
Waterson, William, .'id Massachusetts. 
Waugh, William A., m, 204, 6.57, 967, 975. 
Way, George H., 3d Massachusetts. 
Weeden, Charles C, 79. 
Welch, John H., 3d Massachusetts, 839. 
Welsh or Walsh, Patrick, Sergeant, 79, 200, 

438, 5(>3, 676, 759, 771, 969. 
Wentworth, Owen. 

West, Benjamin, 80, 438, 696, 784, 824. 
West, Edward W., 79. 
Wheaton, Charles E. 
Wheelock, George W., 3d Massachusetts. 
Whelan, John W., 3d Massachusetts. 
Whitcher, Joseph R.. 88. 378, 559, 975. 
White, Russell. 

Wilcox, William S., 76, 81,438, 491, 965. 
Wilkinson, Joseph. 
Williams, Samuel M. 
Wilson, Edward T., 2d Sergeant, 79, 215, 333, 

340. 892, 974-976, 978. 
Winters, Albert. 
Winters, James, Bugler, 4, 79. .505, 516, 530, 

596. 599, 638, (i93. 7.59, 848, 891. 
Wood, Alfred, 3d Massachusetts. 
Wood, Frederick W.. 81. 
Wood, James Augustus, 75, 80, 394, 974-976. 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



Abbott, Henry L., 565. 

Abercrombie, J. J., 373. 

Adams, George W., 592, 593. 

Adams, John Quincy, 23. 

Alexander, B. S., 225, 291. 

Alexandra, Queen, 7(i5. 

Alley, John B., 24. 792, 939. 

Almy, Allen, H58. 

Ames, Adelbert, 372. 

Ames, Nelson, 600, 615, 624, 654, 679. 

Ames,Oakes, 55, 939. 

Amory, Charles, 5, 94, 123. 

Anderson, J. R., Confederate, 27."). 

Anderson, R. H., Confederate, H13, 827, »<30. 

Andrew, John A., 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17,24, 
25, 27, 31, 32, 33, :U, 37, .52, .55, .56, .59, 62, (Hi, 
70, 77, 7H, 83, 89, 90, 93, 116, 117, 123, 381, 
396, 412, 44(1, 446, 493, 728, 739, 740, 786,845, 
849, 926, 938, 939, 960. 

Appleton, William, 24. 

Appleton, William S., 54. 

Arnold, William A., 679. 

Arthur, William, 778. 

Averell, William W., 18, 

Ayres, Romeyn B., 781, 814, 829, 840, 884, 
900, 903, 912, 913. 



Bailey. Goldsmith F., 24. 

Baldwin, John D., 55, 939. 

Bancroft, Eugene, 679. 

Banks, Nathaniel P., 146, 147, 161, 187 

2.55, 288, 312. 
Barker, Augustus, 725. 
Barksdale, William, Confederate, -592. 
Barnard, George M., Jr.. 561, 700, 703, 7 
Barnard, Inman, 702. 
Barnes, Almont, 55, 578, 587, 588, 700, 

744, 769. 774. 
Barnes, James, 525, 927. 
Barry, William F., 60, 64, 99, 110, 117 

i;«, 162, 362, 452, 453, 493. 
Barstow, George F., 55,715, 766, 760, 769 
Bartlett, Joseph J., 781, 789, 866, 874, 

893. 
Batchelder, John B., 677, 770, 771, 969. 
Batchelor. George, 971, 973. 
Bates. Edward, 35. 



,195, 



, 121. 



I, 774. 
, 879, 



Baxter, Henry, 781, 912, 923. 

Beauregard, fJustav T., 377, 418. 

Bell, James B., 971. 

Benham, W. H., Sftt. 

Bennett, James Gordon, 703. 

Benson, Henry, 366, 374, 409. 

Berdan, Hiram, 261, 36.5. 

Berlin, Carl, 940. 

Bigelow, Henry J., 846. 

Bigelow, Hon. John, '.Vi. 

Bigelow, John, Captain, t>06, 623-625, 629, 
631, 646, &17, 666, 662, 66«^6ti9, 671, 715, 
785, 826, 873, 887, 938, 939, 971. 

Birney, D. B., .592, W9, 704, 870, 911. 

Blair, Montgomery, 35. 

Bliss, Alexander, 468. 

Bonaparte, Napoleon, 403, 648, 809, 826. 

Bourne, George A., 69, 

Boutwell, George S., .55, 939. 

Bowditch, Henry P., 748. 

Bradley, Charles S., 30, 32. 

Bragg, Braxton, Confederate, 783. 

Bragg. Edward S., 936. 

Branch, L. O'B.. Confederate, 271, 273. 

Breck, George, 778, 815, 820, 939. 

Bridges, R. C, 978. 

Bright, John, 24. 

Brightman, William Ruthven. 

Broderick, Thomas, 148. 

Brown, Frederick, 679. 

Brown, S. H., 978. 

Bruen, C. T., 599, 675. 

Bryant, William C, poet, 33. 

Buchanan, James, 29, 30, .56, 64, 109, 427. 

Buckley, David H., 677. 

Buckley, William W., 316, 317, 441. 

Buell, Augustus, 8.59, 878. 

Buford, John, 603, 717. 

Buffington, James, 24. 

Bullock, Alexander H., 6. 

Bullock, W. W., 71, 72. 

Burliogame, .Vnson, 47. 

Burnside, Ambrose E.. 116. 117, 120, Hu, 187. 
416, 417, 42'.i, 44;!, 460-465, 476, 4H2, 483, 
48*;, 491, 41>4. 499, 512, 517, .5-21. 625-627, 
634, .5;w, .541, 544, 64f«. 661, 70H, 713, 77i*, 
779, 782, 800, SOI, 807, 808, 813, 824. H63, 
xSu, 8()1, S74, WO, Hi»4. 

Burton, Arthur H., 977. 



986 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



Butler. Benjamin F., 46, 176, 626, 573, 778, 

Slit, 827, 870, 914, 928, 
Butterfield, Daniel, 20, 129, 261, 276, 312, 313, 

315-317, 319. 321-323, 326, 330, 331, 343, 395, 

422, 423, 461, 465, 466, 470, 475, 478, 486, 

487. 492, 619, 552, 568. 



Calder or Calden, A. W., 279. 

Caldwell, J. C, 649. 

Cameron, Simon, 35, 66, 78. 

Cargill, Thomas M., 404, 408, 433, 564, 727, 

734, 737, 835, 839. 
Carlisle, J. Howard, 294. 
Case, Thomas C, 840, 844. 
Casey, Silas, 161, 291. 

Chamberlain, Joshua L., 440, 755, 835, 871. 
Chase, D. C, 435. 
Chase, Salmon P., 35. 
Claflin, William, 24. 
Clarke, Francis N., 14, 16, 958. 
Clarke, Judson, 675. 
Clarke, Morris, 686. 
Clifford, John H., 30-34, 70. 
Cobb, Clarence F., 95. 
Colburn, A. V., 161. 
Congdon, James B., 75. 
Cook, Asa M., 56. 

Cooke, Philip St. George, 304, 312, 317. 
Coolidge, William D., 84. 
Cooper, James H., 679, 778, 815. 
Cornwallis, Charles, 229, 243. 
Couch, Darius N., 15, 16, 17, 161, 364, 365, 

366. 
Cowan, Andrew, 679. 
Cowen, William E., 91, 
Crawford, Samuel W., 781, 782, 870, 900, 903, 

912, 913, 930, 932,935, 936. 
Crowninshield, Benjamin W., 758. 
Cudworth, Warren H., 223. 
Cunningham, James A., 812. 
Curtin, Andrew Y., 672, 720. 
Curtis, Pelham, 699. 
Custer, George A.. 6.50, 783. 
Cushing, Alonzo, 679. 
Cutler, Lysander, 866, 870, 871, 900, 905. 

D 

Dale, William J., 280. 847. 
Dalton, Henry, 453. 
Davis, Henry W., 835. 
Davis, Jefferson, 28, 526, 883. 
Davis, Phineas S., 919. 
Davis, Robert, 13,959. 
Dawes, Henry L., 24, 939. 
Delafield. Richard, 229. 
Delano, Charles, 24. 
Da Motte, Charles, 859. 



Devens, Charles, Jr., 928, 971. 

Devereaux, Arthur F., 37, 43, 400, 598. 

Dickinson, Joseph, 490. 

Diedrichs, Otto, 469-471. 

Dilger, Hubert, 679. 

Dix, John A., 914. 

Dixon, James, 622. 

Dolbear, Clinton E., H46. 

D'Orleans, Robert, Due de Chartres, 315. 

Doubleday, Abner, 649, 679. 

Dove, John, 39, 40. 

Dow, Edwin B., 615, 625, 647, 654, 662, 669, 

670, 679, 887. 
Dresser, G. W., 898, 924, 935. 
Dunbar, George H., 69. 
Dunn, Valentine M., 273, 404, 408, 550. 
Dushane, Nathan T., 897, 903, 906. 



Eakin, " Chan.", 679. 

Early, Jubal, Confederate, 731, 830, 856, 920, 

926. 
Eaton, Charles O., 18. 
Edgell, F. M., 679. 
Edmands, J. Cushing, 762. 
Edwards, John, 503. 
Eliot, Thomas D., 24, 121, 939. 
Ellis, Henry K., 883. 
Ellsworth, Elmer E., 174. 
Emperor of Japan, 109. 
Emperor Napoleon III, 573. 
Erickson, Christopher, 625, 629, 632. 
Everett, Edward, 673, 744. 
Ewell, Richard S., Confederate, 309, 417,648, 

731, 805, 827, 876, 9.51. 



Fay, Frank B.. 231. 

Field, Jonathan E., 6, 55, 938. 

Fisher, H. H., S3. 

Fitzhugh, Robert H., 60, 657, 679, 815, 839, 

840, 852, 923, 939, 942. 
Floyd, John B., 64. 
Follett, William H., 571, 572, 746, 748, 749, 

760, 761. 
Foote. Henry W., 972. 
Fox, William F., 664, 674. 
Frank. John D., 375. 
Franklin, William B., 121, 161, 256, 257, 259, 

261, 265, 267, 270, 362, 425. 461, 498, 548. 
Frederick, Lord Baltimore, 622. 
French, William H.. 64. 
French, Thomas, 741. 
Fuger, Frederick, 679. 



Gaines, William Fleming, 284, 285, 294, 295, 
300-302, 307, 308, 335, 342. 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



987 



Galvin, John, 3H7. 
Geary, John W., 5H1. 
Gentry, W. T., 7t5C, 916. 
Gettys, James, (>04. 
Gibbon. John, G3, 64«. 
Gibbs, Frank C, 55, 587. 744, 754, 769. 
Gifford, Stephen N., 24, 'SI. 
Gilmore, Patrick S., 16. 
Girdwood, John, 74. 
Goldsborough, Louis M., 120. 
Gooch, Daniel W.. 24, 121. 
Goodrich, John Z., 24. 
Goodwin, John A., 24. 
Gordon, George H., 15. 
Gordon, John B., Confederate, 951, 952. 
Gorton, Samuel A., 5t>;(. 
Grant, Ulysses S., 54, 745, 776, 777, 781, 785, 
788-791, 793, 794, 798, 799, 8()5, 808, 814,816, 
819, 820, 825, 827-829, 831-833, 851, 853, 854, 
867, 871, 872, 876, 890, 904, 911-914, 923, 928, 
931, 934, 950, 952, 953. 
Gray, Horace, 32. 
Greenwood, T. J., 84, 86. 
Gregg, John I., (^51, 740, 741, 745, 747, 758, 

8(K), 936. 
Griffin, Charles, :«, 55, 132, 135-137, 139, 140, 
143, 145, 146, 161, 162, 173, 195-198, 203, 212, 
213, 222, 240, 250, 255, 273, 290, 300, 304, 315, 
317, 322, 339, 3(i4-366, 373, 460. 465, 469, 471, 
476, 481, 517, 544-546, 548, 562, 564, 572, 633. 
700, 769, 780. 781, 799, 800, 806-808, 840, 854, 
855, 857, 8t)0-864, 866, 872, 878-881, 903-906, 
911-913, 924, 925, 931, 932, 934, 941, 952. 
Hall, Daniel, 4.55. 
Hall, J. K., 86. 
Halleck, Henry W., 282, 381, 383, 391, 394, 

401, 402, 451. 455, 681, 695, 788. 
Hamlin, Hannibal, 24. 
Hancock,.Winfield S., 607, 652,654, 663, 777, 

812, 820, 829, 8.52, 853, 869, 913, 914, 929. 
Harrison, William Henry. 133. 
Hart. Patrick, 606, 623, 624, 627, (»(>, 646, 651, 

654, 662, 667, 679, 815, 935. 
Hayden, Joel, 6, 55. 938. 
Hayes, Joseph, 15, 7(H), 770, 772, 904, 905. 
Hays, -Alexander, 648. 
Hays, H. T , Confederate, 731. 
Hays. William, 9:54 
Hazard, John G., 679. 
Hazlett, Charles E., 55, 420, 422, 440, 500, 

540, 544, 578, 587, 588, 679, 769. 
Heasley, Thomas, 945. 
Heintzelman, Samuel P., 161, 270, 288, 289, 

362, 419, 421, 422, 4,39, 447. 
Heth. Henry, 782. 
Higginson, T.'W.,960. 

Hill, A. P.. Confederate, 590, .591,650,780, 
782, 815, 827, 8:^4, 836. 



Hill, Edward, 4tr.. 

Hill, Wallace, 679, 756, 757. 

Hinks, Edward W., 15. 

Hodges, John, 44. 

Hofmann, J. William, 918. 

Hoke, R. F., Confederate, 731, 830, 905. 

Holman, A., 9.59. 

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr., 840. 

Holt, Joseph, .H. 

Hooker, .Anson P., Hit".. 

Hooker, Joseph, 20, ItJl, 220, -260,381, 417, 

419, 461, 4W, 484, 486, 487, 490, 495, 526, 

544-548, ,551-5.5.3, 560, .5W, 565, 568-571, 583, 

585, .586, .590, .592, 595, 603, 606, 608, U19, 620, 

927. 
Hooper, Samuel, 55, 939. 
Horsford, Eben N., 845. 
Howard, Oliver O., 607, WH, (^50. 
Howland, Cornelius, Jr., 77. 
Hoyt, William J., .318, 322. 
Huger, Benjamin, Confederate, 289. 
Humphreys, Andrew A., 465, 478. 
Humphreys, B. G., Confederate, 647. 
Hunt, Henry J., 61, 64, 361, 368, 374, 3«0, 

387, 494, 606, 632, 646. 649, 651, 654, 663, 777, 

906, 915, 916. 
Hunter, Joseph, 699, 707, 713, 729, 730, 84.3, 

845. 
Huntington, James F., 596, 597, 6<X), 615, 617. 
Hyde, Thomas W., 314, 380, 469, 651. 



Ingalls. John, 978. 
Ingalls, Thomas, 978. 
Ingraham, Timothy, 69, 70. 
Irish, Nathaniel, 671. 



Jackson. .Andrew. 2K, 102. 

Jackson, Thomas J., ''Stonewall." Confed- 
erate, 3(m, 31(t, .321, 342, .'W), 419,421,422, 
4;?5, 4<ai, 462. 464, 492, .546, .590, 804, 920. 

James, Robert, ii36, 669. 

Jameson, Charlie, 217. 

Jay, William, 706. 

Jenckes, Thomas A., 'M. 

Johnson. Andrew, 850, 81M!. 

Johnson, Bushrod, Confederate, X20. 

Johnston, Joseph E., Confederate, 287, 288, 
291. 

Jones, Edward J., 898, ;»29, 965. 



Kearney, Philip, -ti, 311. 419, 427. 
Kershaw, J. B., Confederate, 8.30. 
Keyes. Erasmus D., 161, 27(», 288, 289. 362. 
Kilpatrick, Judson, 726, 783, 79<l, 791. 
King Edward VI 1. 7t«. 



988 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



King, Horatio C, 466. 

King, Rufus, 421. 

King, William S., 15. 

Kingsbury, Henry W., 13.5-139, 141, 140-148, 

172, 365, 366, 372, 373, 395. 
Knox, Edward M., 677. 
Kurtz, John, 73, 77, 90. 



Ladd. Warren, 91, 92. 

Lafayette, Gilbert Motier de, 223, 229. 

Lakeman, Moses B.. 279, 280. 

Lansil, Walter F., 547. 

Lawrence, T. Bigelow, 123. 

Leahy or Lahee, John, 563, 567. 

Lee, Charles J., 39. 

Lee, Henry, Jr., 24. 

Lee, Robert E., Confederate, 263, 264, 429, 
431, 460, 462, 476, 492, 525, 621, 633, 688, 
691, 695, 722, 724, 740, 779, 780, 801, 805, 
815, 828, 852, 855, 871, 883, 903, 914, 920, 
928, 943, 950-954. 

Lee, William, 41. 

Letcher, John, 518. 

Lewis, Edward, 207. 

Lewis, Nathan. 91. 92. 

Lincoln, Abraham, 24, 25, 29, 32, 35, 39, 70, 
102, 122, 138, 158, 261, 271, 280, 281, 288, 
296, 358, 381, 402, 431, 454, 484, 486, 487, 
567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572. 575, 577, 620, 
672, 673, 683, 695, 757, 777, 788, 939, 955, 
961. 

Locke, Fred T., 9, 21, 22, 156, 797, 816. 

Longfellow, Charles A., 712, 747, 748. 

Longfellow, H., 475. 

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 712. 

Longstreet, James, 314, 331, 419, 422, 424, 
460-462, .590, .591, 609, 637, 646, 650, 6.51, 
652, 655, 660, 663, 678-780, 952. 

Lord, Charles, 207. 

Lothrop, Samuel K., 17. 

Louusberry. Clement A., 562. 

Lowe, T., 192. * 

Lyman, Theodore, 703, 711, 727, 728, 760, 771. 

M 

Mahone, William, Confederate, 812, 9.52. 

Mann, John, 1.50, 1.57. 

Martin, Augustus P., 15, 21, 52, 54, 62, 63, 
146, 148, 161, 162, 214, 251, 262, 272, 273, 
283, 290, 324, 371, 382, 388, 389, 390, 393, 
394, 398, 404, 408, 410, 429, 431, 432, 436, 
439, 440, 452-454, 469, 475-477, 485, 486, 488, 
490, 495, 512, 618, 521, 526, 527, 540, 541, 
544, 553, 554, 557-559, 561, 562, 578, 586- 
588, 593, 613,. 687, 694, 696, 697, 700, 702, 
712, 732, 737, 739, 743, 745-747, 753-755, 758, 
760, 768-771, 774, 778, 784, 790, 792-794, 797, 



798, 800, 803, 812, 816, 817, 867, 906, 920, 
972. 

Martindale, John H., 185, 221, 223, 261, 271, 
302, 315-317, 330-332, 364, 372, 380, 395. 

Mason, Charles, 622. 

McCall, George A., 161, 304, 309, 312, 313, 
315, 342, 409. 

McCartney. William H., 56, 63. 

McClellan, George B., 5, 8, 19, 67, 68, 88, 92, 
93, 103, 107, 117, 118, 120. 122, 130, 137, 138, 
147, 158, 161, 162, 163, 164,189, 190, 192, 193, 
209, 211, 213, 216-218, 223, 224, 229, 230, 232, 
235, 236, 242, 252, 257, 260, 261, 264, 266, 271, 
276, 282, 283, 288, 296, 299, 303, 304, 310, 312- 
315, 320, 336, 337, 345, 362, 363, 366, 367, 378, 
381, 383, 386, 387. 389, 394, 401, 402, 414, 428, 
430-432, 444, 447, 449-452, 454, 455, 460, 461, 
476, 482, 483, 485, 486, 491, 517, 552, 776. 

McCrea, Tully, 679. 

McDowell, Irvin, 161, 255, 264, 269, 271, 288, 
297, 312, 418, 419, 422, 426. 

McGilvery, Freeman, 213, 591, 595, 597, 598, 
600, 606, 609, 613-615, 617, 624, 627, 632. 636, 
646, 647, 650, 652-654, 662, 663, 665-667, 671, 
672,710, 712, 738. 

McKim, W. W., 93. 

McQuade, James, 261, 271, 272. 

Meade, George G., 11, 52, 62, 309, 519, 544, 
5t)4, 569, 574, 603, 606-608, 619, 620, 622, 650, 
6.57, 673, C81, 703, 715, 720, 722, 724, 728, 732, 
736, 740, 742, 743, 745, 755, 757, 762, 774, 776- 
778, 780, 781, 785, 797, 804, 805, 814. 819, 829, 
835, 851, 853, 856, 857, 867, 870, 871, 876, 912, 
913, 916, 929, 941, 950, 951, 956. 

Meagher, Thomas Francis, 315. 

Meigs. Montgomery C 93. 

Melcher, Holman S., 737. 

Mellert, J. H.. 364. 

Merriam, Waldo, 704. 

Merritt, Wesley, 811. 

Miles, Nelson A., 222, 812. 

Milliken, Frank A., 975. 

Milroy, R. H., 451. 

Milton, Richards., 647, 669, 826, 935, 957,971. 

Mink, Charles E., 778, 924, 935, 939. 

Mitchell, Morton D., 898. 

Monroe, J. Albert, 424. 

Montgomery, William R., 432. 

Mordecai, Alfred, 229. 

Morell, George W., 221, 264, 271, 272, 283, 293, 
309, 315, 316, 319, 361, 363,364, 366, 373, 390, 
394, 397, 398, 401, 420, 421,423,426, 436, 441, 
446, 4.53, 458, 460, 467, 471, 476, 477. 

Morgan, Edwin D., 33, 34. 

Morissey, John, 24. 

Morris, Fordham, 9, 10,831, 848,861,881,893, 
915. 

Mortimer, Caleb C. E., 56, 328, 335. 



I RD-94 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



989 



Morton, Oliver P., 673. 
Mudge, Charles R., 582. 
Myer, Albert J., 228. 

N 
Nason, Elias, r),'')il. 
Nason, P. F. G'.IO, 754, 75,s, 707, 774. 
Nelson, Thomas, lt;4 
Newton, John, 31.5. 
Nichols, W. A., 784. 
Nims, Ormand F., 1)3, 208. 
Norton, Charles B., 4(58, 4G'J. 
Nye, William A., 978. 
Nye, William F., 975, 976, 978. 

O 

Oliver, Henry K., 6, 24, 55, 737, 739, 938. 
Ord, E. O. C, 911, 933. 
Osborne, Thomas W., 650. 
Osgood, Lewis V., 571, 572. 



Park, William, Jr., 9.55. 

Parsons, A. N., 679. 

Patrick, M. R., 928. 

Patton, A. .S., 24. 

Peck, John J., 315. 

Peele, Willard, 970. 

Peirce, Richard A., 7, 18. 

Pendleton, W. N., 398. 

Penn, Richard, 622. 

Penn. Thomas, (i22. 

Perrin, Walter, 679. 

Perry, John Gardiner, 738. 

Pettit, Rufiis D., 669. 

Philippe, Louis, Comte de Paris, 315. 

Phillips, Edward W., 37, 972. 

Phillips, George, 625. 

Phillips, Stephen C, 969. 

Phillips, Stephen H., 30-35. 45, 47, 703, 739. 

Phillips, Wendell, 3. 

Pickett, George, Confederate, C44, 678. 

Pierce, Franklin, 28. 

Pleasanton, Alfred, 479, 606, 619, 722. 

Pleasants, Henry, 874. 

Pope, John, 312, 413, 414, 417, 419-421, 426, 
428, 429, 431, 435, 450, 565. 

Porter, Fitz John, 20, 121, 129, 1.32, 1.33, 135, 
136, 138, 140, 143, 149, li)9. 161, 186, 187, 
197, 201, 208, 210, 212, 213, 224, -2.37, 250 
256, 264, 265, 269, 271, 275, 279, 283, 296, 
2'.t7, 300, 303, 309, 312, 313. 315, 3.34, A\\. 
361, 362, 364, 366, 380, 383, ;«7, 389, 3;>4, 
396-398, 414, 416, 417, 419-422, 424, 428, 
436, 443, 452, 4.53, 460, 469, 484-4S6. 

Porter, Josiah, .56. 

Potter, Robert B., 861. 

Powell, William H., 161, 252, 651, 69,x. 



Pratt, F. A., 7.54. 

Prescott, George L., Hl7, 8«2, 883. 

Prevost, Charles M., 440. 

Prim, Juan, Count de Reuss, ^Ot;, •.St7. 

Prince de Joinville, .315. 31«. 



Randol, .Manson M., 57H, 586, .588. 
Randolph, George E., 2<t7, f*7, 640. 
Rank, William, <M. 
Raymond, Charles, H44. 
Reed, John D., 4-29. 
Reno, Jesse L., 421. 

Reynolds. , 421, 422, (M)3, 606, 622. 

Reynolds, W., 978. 

Rice. .Alexander H.. 24, .52, 9,39. 

Rice, James C 277. 

Richardson. Lester L, H07, 8,57, 859, 87H.881, 

887. 
Richardson, William H., «5. 
Richardson, Israel B., ir.l, 315. 
Ricketts, James B., 421, 431. 
Ricketts, R. B., COS. 
Ritchie, David F., 9.3s, 94(», 944, !M5, 947,1>48, 

956. 
Ritchie, Harrison, 24, 34, 398. 
Rittenhouse, Benjamin F., 55, 692, 73.3, 73X, 

769, 778, Hl'J, .H15. 
Roberts, Charles W., 318. 
Robinson, George D., 677. 
Robinson, John C, 7«1, Hll, 812. 
Rodgers, John, 362, 3C7. 
Rodman, Edmund. 3.59. 
Rogers, Charles O., 26. 
Rogers. Robert E., 679, 924. 
Rogers, W. B , 415. 
Rogers, William H., m4. 
Rorty, James M., 679. 
Rosecranz, William S., .54.3, 70X, 714. 
Ruggles, George D., 11. 
Russell, David A., 731. 
Russell, Edward J„ 677. 



Sargent, Horace Binney, 24, 93. 
Sawin, Robert L., .5ti. 



42, 772, 777 



Sedgwick, John, 161,548, 608, 

813, S17. 
Seeley, Frank W.. 6.36, 669. 
Seward. William H-, 35, .575, 
Schenkle or Schenkl, John P., 2.31, 23.' 

.■«J3, 3tM,311. 
Schouler. William, 14, 15, 2 

90, 93, 115. l.'O. 121. 926, '.>5H. 
Schurz, Carl .569. 
Scott, Winfield, .32, .'H. 38, 46, sx, 
Sheldon, Albert S., 679, 8IK3. 



62. 



,236, 
3, 89, 



990 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



Sheridan, Philip, «03, 813, 816, 911, 930, 933, 

943, 951, 953. 
Sherman, Pliny B., 74. 
Sherman, W. T., 940. 
Sherwin, Thomas, Jr., 167, 554. 
Shrove, W. H., 086. 
Sickles, Daniel E., 607, 609, 646, 667. 
Sigel, Franz, 312, 421. 422-424, 451, 481. 
Sleeper, J. Henry, 971. 

Slocum, Henry W., 315, 478, 571, C06, 648, 649. 
Smead, John R., 302. 
Smith, Caleb, 35. 
Smith, Cornelius, 263. 
Smith, F. Hopkinson, 704. 
Smith, Gustavus W., Confederate, 289. 
Smith, "William F., 299, 306, 323, 345, 827, 830, 

852, 853-855, 869. 
Smith, William O., 975. 
Soule, Rufus A., 974. 
Spencer, Gideon, 437. 
Sprague, William, 35. 
Stanton, Edwin M., 5, 30-34, 52, 54, 56, 62, 63, 

193, 240, 257, 260, 280, 281, 381, 427, 575, 617, 

C«3, 770, 788, 850, 888, 895, 896. 
Sterling, John, 679. 
Stevenson, J. D., 813. 
Stewart, James, 778, 813, 814, 857, 862, 878, 879, 

916, 924, 935. 
Stone, A. L., 24. 
Stoneman, George, 273, 276,304,404, 545,568, 

569, 590. 
Stowe, William, 24. 
Stryker, Stephen W., 249. 
Stuart, J. E. B., Confederate, 455, 464, 559, 

too, 726, 791. 
Sumner, Charles, 24, 52, 55, 939. 
Sumner, Edwin V., 161, 220,244, 256,265,270, 

289, 294, 304, 362, 461, 462, 464, 485, 866. 
Sweitzer, Jacob B., 861, 862, 881. 
Swinton, William, 678. 
Sykes, George, 52, 256, 309, 313, 315, 316, 361, 

413, 420, 422, 478, 479, 607, 697, 699, 717, 745, 

747, 755, 761, 784, 791, 793. 



Taber, Isaac C, 68, 69, 74,75. 77, 91, 407, 411. 

Taft, Elijah I)., 471, 472, 617, 629, 679. 

Taylor. Bayard, 673. 

Tennyson, Alfred, 764, 705. 

Thomas, Benjamin F., 24. 

Thomas, Evan. 679. 

Thomas Stephen, 190. 

Thompson, Charles, 888. 

Thompson, James, 624, 627, 636, 651, ()54, 662, 

669,1.79. 
Thompson, William B., 368. 
Tidball, John C, 933, 942, 944, 946, 947. 
Tilton, William S., 798. 



Tompkins, Daniel S., 245. 389. 
Tompkins, John A., 591, 593, 595, 596. 
Toucey, Isaac, 31. 
Train, Charles R., 24. 
Tuttle, James, 142, 348. 
Tyler, Philip H., 404, 408. 
Tyler, Robert O., 361, 590-592, C06, 607, 667, 
7.52, 754, 755. 



Vaughan, James, Jr., 104. 
Van Reed, William E., 941. 

W 

Wadsworth, James S., 048, 781, 782, 806. 
Wainwright, Charles S., 9, 54, 99, 650, 751, 

778, 793, 794, 797, 798, 831, 833, 838, 842, 

848, 849, 872, 893, 897, 9.55. 
Wallace, Lew, 914. 
Ward, George Hull, 009. 
Ward, J. Langdon, 44. 
Wardrop, David W., 09, 190. 
Warner, Oliver, 0, 24, 55, 938. 
Warren, Gouverneur K., 9, 10, 422, 552, 740, 

742, 777, 792-794, 815, 820, 8.52, 850, 857, 

861, 879, 899, 903, 906, 917, 919, 929, 931, 

932, 934, 937. 
Washburn, William B., .55, 939. 
Washington, George, 08, 102, 109, 138, 243, 

203, 460, 4.'^7, 550, 574, 832, 940. 
Waterman, Richard, 306, 368, 375, 423, 424, 

436, 437, 440, 441, 478, 500, 521, 526, 540, 

553, 578, 588, 599. 
Waud, A. R., 772. 
Webb, Alexander S., Ill, 318, 470, 472, 574, 

(549, tSO. 
Webster, Fletcher, 425, 
Weed, Stephen H., 405, 495, 500, 508, 547, 

552, 553, 5S«. 
Weeden, William B., 161, 162, 206, 213, 251, 

300, 304, 316, 319, 324, 327, 364, 365, 367, 369, 

390, 393, 409. 
Weld, Stephen M., 132, 569. 
Welles, Gideon, 35, 106. 
Wells, W. H., 10th New York Battery, 643. 
Wentworth, Lewis E., 153. 
Weston, George Fiske, 574, 703. 
Wetherell, John W., 24. 
Wheeler, William, 679. 
Whipple, Amiel W., 441, 44.5-449, 451-456, 571, 

588. 
Whitaker, Alexander H., 025, 033. 
Whiting, W. H. C, Confederate, 309. 
Wightman, Joseph M., 74. 
Wilcox, Cadmus M., Confederate, 782. 
Wilkeson, Bayard, (.79. 
Williams, Robert, 93. 
Wilson, Henry. 24, 31, 52, 55, 61, 71-73, 0!-8. 



OTHER PERSONS MENTIONED. 



991 



Winslow, George B., 778. 
Woodfin, Philip T., 727. 
Woodruff, C. A., 3. 
Woodruff, George, 679. 



Wool, John E., 2.53, 6K2. 
Wright, H. G.. 731, h13, *40, 851-853. 
Wright, Joseph W. B.. 115. 
Wyndam, Percy, 818. 




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